Jimmy Mercedes
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that Jimmy Mercedes, 41, of Paterson,
NJ was found guilty on August 21, 2025, after a jury trial before the Honorable Joy-Michele
Johnson J.S.C. of Murder, in violation of N.J.S.A 2C:11-3(a)(1), Second Degree Unlawful
Possession of a Handgun, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b)(1), Second Degree Possession of a
Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, and Second Degree Certain
Perssons Not to Have Weapons, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b.
Jury selection commenced on July 23, 2025. On August 21, 2025, following approximately two
days of jury deliberations, the Jury returned verdicts of guilty for Murder, Unlawful Possession
of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Certain Persons not to Have
Weapons.
The State presented evidence that on May 5, 2024, the defendant, Jimmy Mercedes, shot Daryle
Robinson twice. Portions of the events preceding and subsequent to the shooting were captured
on surveillance video, including the defendant, Jimmy Mercedes leaving the area. On May 10,
2024, Mr. Mercedes was arrested on his charges.
This matter is scheduled for sentencing before the Honorable Joy-Michele Johnson on October
28, 2025.
The crime of Murder, First Degree, has a sentencing range of 30 years to life imprisonment.
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a
Weapon, Second Degree, both have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison with 42 months
to be served before parole eligibility in accordance with the Graves Act. The crime of Certain
Person not to Possess a Weapon, Second Degree, has a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in
prison with 5 years to be served before parole eligibility.
Passaic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kelly M. Walsh and Assistant Prosecutor Matthew
Benzoni represented the State during the jury trial before Judge Johnson, and the defense was
represented by F.R. "Chip" Dunne, III, Esq
