TOMS RIVER – Anthony Barksdale, 26, of New York was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in the murder of Steven Stallworth, who was murdered in 2018.
Stallworth was murdered at the Hampton Gardens apartment complex on James Street in what police had said was a drug-related homicide. Barksdale was also found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
The trial had begun in early March but had to be suspended due to the coronavirus. He was sentenced on Aug. 19.
“This was a brutal and senseless murder. I am beyond proud of the teamwork exhibited by members of my office, along with the other law enforcement agencies involved in solving this heinous crime, for their exceptional and combined efforts which ultimately resulted in this defendant being brought to justice,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. “It is my sincere hope that Barksdale being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole provides some measure of peace and closure to Mr. Stallworth’s family, who have been forced to endure needless and unspeakable suffering since that horrible day in March 2018. Justice has finally been accomplished in Steven’s name, and for his family.”
He commended Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert Cassidy, who together tried the case on behalf of the State, for their skill and dedication in prosecuting this horrendous murder – particularly in light of the adverse conditions emanating from COVID-19.
Billhimer also thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective assistance which led to Barksdale’s arrest, conviction, and sentence to life in prison.
