Hightstown Man Gets 19 Years In Prison For Fatal Stabbing Of Teen

HIGHTSTOWN, NJ — A Hightstown man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for stabbing two cousins in Wildwood, one of whom died and the other suffered permanent injuries, authorities said.

DaJohn Taylor, of Hightstown, was sentenced to 19 years in New Jersey State Prison for the aggravated manslaughter of Kaiden Braithwaite, 19, and the aggravated assault of his cousin Mikal Braithwaite, who suffered permanent nerve damage, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said.

“This sentence holds DaJohn Taylor accountable for the senseless violence that led to Kaiden Braithwaite’s tragic death and the lifelong injuries suffered by Mikal Braithwaite,” Sutherland said.

“While no sentence can undo the harm caused, we hope this brings some measure of justice and closure to the Braithwaite family.”

The stabbing occurred following a verbal altercation at about 2:15 a.m. on June 11, 2023, authorities previously said.

Taylor's sentence is subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning he must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.