Farad Roland - For the second time in state history, authorities in New Jersey will be seeking the death penalty against the leader of a notorious street gang charged with murdering six people.
According to reports, federal prosecutors have on Monday filed a formal notice of their intention to seek the death penalty against 30-year-old Farad Roland.
Roland is being charged for leading a violent South Side Cartel. Prosecutors say the ring, which was a subset of the Blood street gang, was widely recognized as "the most violent street gang operating in Newark."
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has directed that the death penalty be sought in Ronald's case, Paul Fishman, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey said. Holder reportedly placed the request for capital punishment in this case on Jan. 12, 2015.
This is the second time federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in New Jersey. The last was in 2007, and the state subsequently abolished capital punishment.
Ronald and two co-defendants have been charged with murder, kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, drug conspiracy and other acts of violence aiding racketeering. They all plead not guilty.
Reports indicate that U.S. Judge Ester Salas has scheduled Farad Roland's trial to begin on Jan 11, 2016.
Farad Roland is eligible for the death penalty because of five murder charges against him. Prosecutors say if Roland is found guilty and get convicted for any of those five killings, a jury would decide if his fate.
Jurors would decide if he will be sentenced to death of serve life without the possibility of parole.
Holder has authorized the U.S. Attorney not to seek the death penalty against Farad Roland's co-defendants; Mark Williams, 32, and Malik Lowery, 33. The two men are charged with one death penalt-eligible murder.
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