TOMS RIVER – Anthony Barksdale, 26, of New York was found guilty in the murder of Steven Stallworth, who was murdered in 2018.
Stallworth was murdered at the Hampton Gardens apartment complex on James Street in what police had said was a drug-related homicide. Barksdale was also found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
Barksdale will be lodged in the Ocean County Jail until sentencing on Aug. 19, and the State will be seeking life imprisonment.
“I am extremely proud of the team effort exhibited by members of my office and the other law enforcement agencies involved in bringing Anthony Barksdale to justice,” Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. “This was a horrendous murder, and Mr. Stallworth’s family has been forced to endure much suffering as a result. I hope this guilty verdict provides them with some level of peace and closure.”
Billhimer also thanked Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert Cassidy, who tried the case on behalf of the State; and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their combined assistance in securing this guilty verdict.
The trial had begun in early March but had to be suspended due to the coronavirus, he said. He also thanked Judge Guy Ryan who presided over the case.
