Woman Resentenced To 70 Years In Prison For Killing Of Engaged Couple In Jersey City

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A woman was resentenced to 70 years in prison on Monday in connection with the 2010 deaths of a man and woman in Jersey City during a robbery.

News reports say the couple had just returned from their engagement party when they were killed.

On April 4, 2010, Michael Muchioki, 27, and Nia Haqq, 25, were robbed and fatally shot on Randolph Avenue in Jersey City, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said on Tuesday.

Back in June of 2012, Latonia Bellamy, 33, was convicted of murder for her role in the robbery and shootings after a trial. She was sentenced to 30 years for felony murder for Muchioki's death, and 50 years for Haqq's death.

She was also given concurrent sentences for robbery and carjacking.

The prosecutor's office explained, "The resentencing was required following a 2021 Appellate Court ruling that affirmed Bellamy’s conviction, but remanded the matter back to the court to consider additional records provided by the defendant as part of her sentence."

Two other people, Shiquan Bellamy, 34, and Darmellia Lawrence, 35, are also in prison for their roles in the deaths, prosecutors said. NJ.com identified Shiquan as Latonia's cousin.

Latonia Bellamy will not be eligible for parole until 64 years of her sentence have been served.

Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez resentenced Bellamy on Monday. The State was represented by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leonardo Rinaldi.