Tyrone Cradle
Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that Tyrone Cradle, 29, of Newark was convicted by an Essex County jury of first-degree murder and related weapons charges in the shooting death of his stepfather in 2023. Assistant Prosecutors Daniel Nicholas and Brianna Sandroni tried the case before the Honorable Naazneen Khan, J.S.C. The jury returned its verdict on August 26, 2025, following a five-day trial.
Prosecutors proved that on the evening of May 19, 2023, the defendant shot his stepfather Rasool Crews, 48, multiple times as Crews and his daughter were exiting a vehicle outside of their home in Newark’s South Ward. Surveillance video showed Cradle emerging from the side of the house moments before the shooting and then fleeing the scene after the crime. Witnesses testified that Cradle had been living in the Crews residence but was asked to leave the home two days prior to the shooting.
“The evidence demonstrated–which the jury confirmed through its verdict–that this was a cold and calculated murder”, said Assistant Prosecutor Nicholas. Prosecutor Sandroni added, “We are grateful to the jury for their verdict and hope that Mr. Crews’ family and loved ones can move forward knowing that justice was served.”
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office commends the Newark Police Division, the FBI, and ECPO Homicide Task Force detectives for their dedicated work and efforts in this case.
Cradle is scheduled for sentencing on October 27, 2025. He faces a potential sentence of 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison.
