A Jefferson County jury deliberated four hours on July 17th before finding Erik Jamal Newton, DOB: 12-24-94, guilty of the murder of Zachary Greenstreet in June, 2016.
A Jefferson County jury deliberated four hours on July 17th before finding Erik Jamal Newton, DOB: 12-24-94, guilty of the murder of Zachary Greenstreet in June, 2016.
On June 17, 2016 Newton shot and killed 29-year-old Zachary Greenstreet in his driveway as he returned home from his father’s house. He was shot six times at close range. Prosecutors described this as an “execution-style” killing.
A year prior to the murder, Mr. Newton had posted inappropriate content on social media about Mr. Greenstreet’s girlfriend. Friends and family of the woman confronted Mr. Newton about the post and insults were exchanged. Mr. Newton was blocked and unfriended to prevent further contact on social media. There was no further contact of any kind between the parties until the murder.
The jury heard testimony that Mr. Newton did not target Mr. Greenstreet, specifically, but that he went to the house in unincorporated Jefferson County expecting either Mr. Greenstreet, his girlfriend, or the girlfriend’s son to be there.
Mr. Newton’s defense was that he had a mental condition which prevented him deliberately committing the murder, despite the findings of a court appointed psychiatrist. Following his evaluation, the doctor testified that it was his conclusion that Mr. Newton was malingering (faking or exaggerating symptoms).
The jury found Mr. Newton guilty of First Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 27 at 10:30 in Division 2. He will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
