February 9, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella, Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford, and Town of Dover Police Chief Harold Valentine announce the charging of Jade Michele Ransom, age 20, in connection with the murder of Jesus Dimas Rodriguez Marques, age 23 of Dover.

Ms. Ransom is charged with 1st degree murder and 2nd degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose in connection with the shooting death of Jesus Dimas Rodriguez Marques.

On January 28, 2008 Ms. Ransom was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and hindering apprehension. Ms. Ransom is being held in lieu of $750,000 bail set by Morris County Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto, P.J.Cr.

According to Prosecutor Bianchi, at approximately 10:28 pm on January 27, 2008, a 911 call was received by the Dover Police Department reporting a male subject who was lying on the ground in front of 59 East Blackwell Street in Dover. Upon the arrival of the Dover Police Department and Town of Dover Fire Department, it was determined that Jesus Dimas Rodriguez Marques had been shot and was deceased.

An autopsy by Morris County Medical Examiner Ronald V. Suarez determined that the cause of death was a perforating gun shot wound to the chest and the manner of death was homicide.

Prosecutor Bianchi commended the efforts of his staff, the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section and Dover Police Department. The thorough and comprehensive efforts of the collaborative investigative team resulted in the charging of Ms. Ransom with homicide.

Prosecutor Bianchi noted that the investigation, which has been on-going since January 27, 2008 is continuing and anyone with information with regard to Ms. Ransom or Mr. Marques is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at (973) 285-6200, The Dover Police Department at (973) 366-0302 or the Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStopper Program at (973-267-2255) 973-COP-CALL.

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio