OCPO: Congratulations to Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert Cassidy and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco for being selected by the Executive Board of the County Prosecutor’s Association of New Jersey (CPANJ) to receive the CPANJ Award for Outstanding Advocacy in a Single Case for their efforts in the State v. Anthony Barksdale Jr.

Anthony Barksdale Jr. was charged with the Murder of Steven Stallworth in March of 2018. In the months leading up to the trial, these two Prosecutors argued numerous pretrial motions concerning unique and complicated factual and legal issues. On March 3rd, 2020, jury selection commenced before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C. On March 23, 2020, the trial was forced to adjourn when all in court proceedings ground to a halt due to Covid-19. Finally, on June 22, 2020, after many remote conferences and a three-month hiatus, the trial resumed in-person, with social distance measures implemented in the courtroom. Despite all the challenges presented to them, Rob and Mike were able to convince all twelve jurors of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. One hundred eighteen (118) days after the trial began, Anthony Barksdale Jr. was found guilty of Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose. On August 19, 2020, Anthony Barksdale Jr. was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Rob and Mike faced numerous obstacles above and beyond the normal stressors of trial. Based on Rob and Mike’s tireless preparation and zealous advocacy, they persevered through every obstacle and obtained justice for Steven Stallworth and his family. Congratulations on this statewide recognition!