Clarence Stokes
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the sentencing term handed down in Bergen County Superior Court on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, against 46-year-old CLARENCE STOKES of Paterson, NJ in connection with the 2021 murder of 44-year-old Latrice Avery and 67-year-old Stanley Gunter, both of whom resided in Hackensack, NJ when the defendant murdered them.
On August 25, 2021, just prior to 9:00 p.m., the Hackensack Police Department responded to a stabbing on the front porch of a multi-family residence in Hackensack, NJ. Upon arrival, first responders located Latrice Avery who had suffered multiple stab wounds to her head, arms, and torso. Ms. Avery was transported to HMH Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased. Officers also located Stanley Gunter’s lifeless body in his upstairs residence. Hackensack EMS attempted life-saving measures; however, Mr. Gunter was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Responding officers located CLARENCE STOKES several houses down from the crime scene. STOKES was covered in blood and a knife was recovered nearby. STOKES was taken into custody, and detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad and the Hackensack Police Department charged him with the murders of Latrice Avery and Stanley Gunter. Notably, detectives recovered doorbell surveillance video that captured STOKES brutally killing Latrice Avery on the front porch of the multi-family residence.
An autopsy was performed by the Office of the Bergen County Medical Examiner. It revealed that Latrice Avery suffered at least 36 sharp-force injuries during the attack, resulting in organ failure. Moreover, Stanley Gunter suffered at least 21 sharp-force injuries during the attack, which likewise resulted in organ failure.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, CLARENCE STOKES pleaded guilty in Bergen County Superior Court to two counts of murder for the purposeful or knowing killing of Latrice Avery and Stanley Gunter in exchange for the recommendation of a sentence of forty-eight years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (“NERA”), which requires the defendant to serve at least 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, during a proceeding in Bergen County Superior Court before the Honorable Vincent Militello, J.S.C., CLARENCE STOKES was sentenced to the negotiated plea of forty-eight years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to NERA. The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutors Deepa Jacobs and Justin Blasi of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”). They were assisted by Sergeant Matt Zablocki and Sergeant Dario Vargas of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit, as well as BCPO Victim Advocate Susan Tanis.
Prosecutor Mark Musella thanks the prosecution team for their zealous advocacy, and for helping to bring justice for Latrice Avery, Stanley Gunter, their respective family members, and dear friends. Prosecutor Musella also commends the detectives of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit; the detectives and police officers of the Hackensack Police Department; and the members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their skill and professionalism in investigating this matter. Lastly, Prosecutor Musella recognizes the first responders who rushed to the aid of the victims, including members of the Hackensack Fire Department, Hackensack EMS, and HMH Hackensack University Medical Center Paramedics.
