Authorities in Monmouth County say a 21-year-old Asbury Park man has been found guilty of the 2013 murder of an Ocean County resident.

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Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said Spencer S. Young was found guilty of second degree robbery, first degree felony murder, and first degree aggravated manslaughter, for the murder of 36-year-old Thomas Sudano Jr.

Police say that on the morning of July 27, 2013, around 12:26 a.m., Asbury Park Police responded to Atlantic Avenue for a report of an unconscious male lying in the street. When they arrived, authorities say the man, Thomas J. Sudano Jr., 36, of Brick Township, was unconscious and in cardiac arrest.

"During the trial, it was learned that Sudano took a taxi from Brick to Asbury Park to meet with co-defendant J.B. shortly before midnight in order to purchase narcotics. J.B. and Spencer Young met with Sudano at the McDonald’s on Route 35 in Neptune Township before J.B. and Young lured Sudano into a housing complex in Asbury Park with the intentions of robbing him," authorities said in a press release.

Witnesses during a trial said that he saw Young and "J.B." with the victim around midnight and that the pair assaulted Sudano without being provoked. When he tried to get away, the two men were observed stomping, punching and kicking him, authorities said. The victim fell to the ground and as he lay there unconscious, the attackers continued the assault and then fled the scene, according to the prosecutor.

The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and later pronounced dead. A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Authorities say Young was found to be in possession of the victim's cell phone and using telephone records, they were able to locate him. He was taken into custody on July 30, 2013.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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