Defendant in 2007 triple slaying mulling plea deal

NEWARK, N.J. – One of the six men and boys charged with the execution-style murders of three friends in Newark, N.J., in 2007 is mulling a plea offer from prosecutors.

Shahid Baskerville faces murder, robbery and sexual assault charges stemming from the brutal attack in a school playground.

Two other defendants have been convicted and another has pleaded guilty. All were sentenced to multiple consecutive life sentences.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office says Baskerville's plea deal would require him to serve significant prison time.

Baskerville's attorney told the Star-Ledger of Newark that his client would face 40 years in prison under the plea deal.

Baskerville was 15 at the time of the murders of Dashon Harvey, Terrance Aeriel and Iofemi (eye-OH'-feh-mee) Hightower. All were attending or planning to attend Delaware State University.

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Information from: The Star-Ledger, http://www.nj.com/starledger