Long Branch man sentenced to 50 years for 2014 attempted murder
A Long Branch man was sentenced Friday afternoon to 50 years in prison for the 2014 attempted murder of a Red Bank man.
Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Thomas F. Scully sentenced Anthony Sims Jr., 28 to 50 years in a New Jersey state prison.
On July 11,2017 Sims was convicted of first degree attempted murder, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, concluding a five week jury trial.
During the trial, it was revealed that on April 9,2014 Sims traveled to Red Bank where he found Veney in the driver's seat, parked in front of his grandmother's home. Sims used a semi-automatic handgun, and fired 15 rounds into the car where Veney was, striking him more than 10 times. Veney was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he underwent multiple lifesaving operations.
The Red Bank Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office conducted a joint investigation, and as a result Sims was arrested on April 14, 2014 for the shooting.
At the time of his arrest, Sims was under parole supervision for two prior Red Bank attempted manslaughters. He had been released on parole from state prison on January 13, 2014, less than three months before committing this crime.
Due to his prior record, Judge Scully imposed an extended term of imprisonment upon Sims. Under the provisions of the No Early release Act, Sims must serve 85% of his sentence, or 42 years and 6 months, before he is eligible for release on parole.
Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Martha Nye and Caitlin Sidley prosecuted the case for the State. Sims was represented by John Perrone, Esq., of Long Branch, New Jersey.
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