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10 Brought To Hackensack Court In Slaying Of Paterson Basketball Star, 14

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Nine men and a woman with reputed gang ties moved closer to resolving charges against them in the slaying of a 14-year-old bystander during a Paterson street-corner shooting last fall.

Devonte Lewis, Nyje Johnson, Tyheem Mayfield

Devonte Lewis, Nyje Johnson, Tyheem Mayfield

Photo Credit: Mary K. Miraglia
Knolaisha Washington

Knolaisha Washington

Photo Credit: Mary K. Miraglia
Shakeem Ricks, Baseem Williams, Nyjeir Barrett

Shakeem Ricks, Baseem Williams, Nyjeir Barrett

Photo Credit: Mary K. Miraglia

All 10 were brought into Superior Court in Hackensack on Monday because the mother of victim -- International High School basketball standout Nazerah Bugg -- works at the Passaic County courthouse in Paterson. Charges against them range from murder to hindering.

They were brought before a judge in stages, with all of the defense attorneys saying that they have the evidence that they need -- and asking for more time to consider plea offers from Assistant Passaic County Prosecutor Paul DeGroot.

Charges range from murder to hindering.

Jeavonte Dennis, 17, Quajier Culbreath, 16, Tyheem Mayfield, 22, Nyje Johnson, 19, Devonte Lewis, 18, Nyjier Barrett, Baseem Williams, 22, Shakeem Ricks, 20, Jalon Brown, and the only woman, Knolaisha Washington, stood before the judge singly or in small groups.

Superior Court Judge James J. Guida set a Feb. 29 court date. If pleas aren’t accepted by then, he said, he’ll set the trial date.

Authorities allege the shooting was between two rival gangs -- from the 1st and 4th Wards -- and that Bugg and a 15-year-old girl who was injured were innocent bystanders.

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