Daniel Lawrence was convicted of murder after only a few hours of deliberations.
The verdict came as a shock to some in the courtroom.
After only four hours -- including an hourlong lunch break -- the jury found 29-year-old Daniel Lawrence guilty of murder and weapons charges for a 2014 stabbing.
A woman in the audience cried before storming from the courtroom in anguish.
"Melissa Woody is the real (expletive) murderer!" she screamed. "She's the reason why it happened! She's the reason!"
Lawrence was accused of fatally stabbing 30-year-old Warren Moore, of Jersey City, outside Woody's home on East Washington Avenue in the borough of Washington. Both men had prior relationships with Woody, whose testimony proved to be a central element of the trial.
Warren Moore in an undated photo. (NJ Advance Media file photo)Warren County Assistant Prosecutor Victor Jusino said the killing was done in a jealous rage. Lawrence's attorney, Edward Hesketh, argued it was a matter of self-defense -- that the victim was actually the aggressor.
On Monday morning, a week after testimony began, both sides presented their closing statements at New Jersey Superior Court in Belvidere. The jurors -- six men and six women -- began deliberations at noon and returned with a verdict at 4 p.m.
Authorities said that on Sept. 2, 2014, Moore went to Woody's house to pick up a bag and got into a confrontation with Lawrence. Moore was stabbed nine times, and a knife with Lawrence's ID cards attached was next to him when rescue crews arrived. Both Lawrence and Woody remained on scene and gave statements to police that night.
Lawrence took the stand in his own defense, saying that he actually stepped in to protect Woody from an angry Moore. Lawrence said Moore grabbed him by the throat and pummeled him, and that his stabs with a utility knife were done out of desperation.
Jusino, the prosecutor, said Lawrence's story did not match the physical evidence, which he emphasized in a dramatic closing statement in which he pantomimed the fatal thrusts of the blade.
He also said the brevity of the focused the jury on a few key witnesses: the medical examiner, Woody and Lawrence.
"When you looked at all the evidence, it was clear his story was fabricated," the prosecutor said after the verdict was read. "I think what really resonated with me was his claim that he was protecting Ms. Woody. If that was really the case, why wouldn't Ms. Woody come forward and state that? ... Why didn't he say so the day of?"
Authorities investigate a fatal stabbing Sept. 2, 2014, at 276 E. Washington Ave. in the borough of Washington. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo)Lawrence's attorney, however, said he felt the jury's decision to convict after only four hours was "incomprehensible."
During that time, the jury asked two questions of Judge H. Matthew Curry: one about the burden of proof in a self-defense claim, and the other about the medical examiner's testimony. They later determined a replay of the testimony was not necessary.
"Seems like they were more interested in going home," Hesketh said.
Lawrence, wearing a light gray suit, was led from the courtroom in shackles past some of his family. His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for May 19. Hesketh said an appeal is possible.
In the meantime, Jusino said the verdict provides closure for Moore's family and justice for the victim.
"I'm happy that justice was served," he said. "Our job is to protect the citizens of Warren County and the citizens of New Jersey. And that's what we did today."
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.