Jury to begin deliberation on Sayreville councilwoman murder trial on Friday
Rashid Bynum is accused of the 2023 shooting death of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour.
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Jurors sitting for the murder trial of Rashid Bynum will begin deliberating the case Friday morning.
On Thursday, they were given a chance to listen to closing arguments by both the Middlesex County prosecutor and the defense.
Bynum is accused of the 2023 shooting death of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour.
With one last chance to speak with jurors, the prosecution said Rashid Bynum stalked and executed Eunice Dwumfour.
The victim and Bynum were once roommates and former members of the same evangelical church, Champions Royal Assembly, based out of Newark, New Jersey.
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The prosecution argued that Bynum left a digital trail from his Gmail account and phone, which showed him at a gun shop and rental car business, before driving to Sayreville in a white Hyundai to kill the councilwoman.
The state showed evidence of Bynum’s DNA on the murder weapon, which was used to shoot 15 rounds at the woman from close range as she sat in her car in front of her home.
That weapon was a Glock 19, which testing showed had Bynum’s DNA on the slide and grip.
“The defendant’s DNA was located in a mixture of DNA on the slide and on the grip of the gun,” said assistant prosecutor Kristen Pridgen.
But the defense questioned that DNA, arguing to jurors that other DNA belonging to unidentified people was on the Glock.
Bynum’s attorney also argued the accused had no motive to kill Dwumfour.
“Also, think about the fact that there is no communication between my client and the victim or any other person associated with this case, said defense attorney Michael Ashley.
After closing arguments, a motion for a mistrial by the defense was denied by Judge Joseph Paone.
Attorney Ashley had claimed the prosecution was testifying to facts during summation.
The jury was charged by Judge Joseph Paone and told to report to court Friday morning.
