Jury Convicts Two South Jersey Men Of Triple Homicide

NEWARK – An Essex County jury has convicted two South Jersey men in a triple murder in Essex County, Acting Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino said.

The jury deliberated for a week before finding Lavelle T. Davis, 37, Galloway, and Jimmy P. Mays, 34, formerly of Egg Harbor Township, guilty of the murders of Michael Davis, 45, Maplewood, Roshana Kelson, 30, Paterson, and Lance Fraser, 44, Newark, after a trial before Superior Court Judge Richard T. Sules.

Authorities say that on Jan. 29, 2017, Mays, Lavelle Davis and an unknown co-conspirator went into 38 Van Ness Court in Maplewood, where victim Michael Davis lived, looking for drugs and cash.

The three men, who knew Michael Davis, shot and killed Davis and Roshana Kelson in the upstairs bedroom. They then tortured Lance Fraser, then shot and killed him. After that, they ransacked the home and stole items, Assistant Prosecutor Carlo Fioranelli said.

Firefighters went to the location on a wellness check after family members reported they had been unable to reach the three. They found the victims had been shot to death, the assistant prosecutor said.

Both defendants were found guilty of conspiracy, murder, felony murder, burglary, robbery, criminal restraint, and weapons offenses.

"The Kelson, Davis, and Fraser families went through a nightmare because of what occurred at 38 Van Ness Court on January 29, 2017," Fioranelli said. "I hope the verdict gives them some sense of closure and that the families continue to heal following this tragedy."

Both defendants, who have prior felony convictions, face life in prison when they are sentenced on June 26.

Davis has two prior felony convictions. One for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and a second for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Davis was convicted on April 30, 2010 and sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison. He was required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he was eligible for parole.

Mays has four prior felony convictions. On April 16, 2010, he was convicted of bailing jumping, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison.

Photos: Left to right: Davis, Mays, Courtesy of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office