North Brunswick man convicted of murdering next-door neighbor

 

A North Brunswick man was convicted on Feb. 28 of fatally shooting his next-door neighbor more than two years ago.

Roland E. Amos, 44, was found guilty of murder for fatally shooting Brian A. Hoey, 43. He also was convicted of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and hindering his own apprehension, according to a statement provided by Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey. In addition, he was found guilty of being a certain person prohibited from having a weapon, since he previously was convicted in an unrelated criminal case.

During a trial that began on Jan. 18, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Christine D’Elia and Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Fabrice Charles presented evidence and testimony showing Amos shot Hoey multiple times on Sept. 1, 2014, outside an apartment complex where both men were next-door neighbors.

Amos was charged following a month-long investigation by Detective Robert Powell of the North Brunswick Police Department and Detective Gregory Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Amos is facing a maximum prison term of life plus 10 years when he is sentenced in New Brunswick on May 4 by Superior Court Judge Dennis Nieves. He will be required to serve 85 percent of the life term, and at least five years on the gun charge before he can be eligible for parole, according to Carey.