Tyrique Spruell, 24, of Newark, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Eugene Walker to commit the Sept. 13, 2012 robbery at a Newark grocery store
Tyrique Spruell NEWARK -- Superior Court Judge Verna Leath said Jamil Bader Jr.'s family was operating a grocery store in Newark to provide a valuable service to neighboring residents.
But then Tyrique Spruell and Eugene Walker allegedly conspired to rob the business on Sept. 13, 2012. When the 18-year-old Bader tried to stop the robbery, he was shot and killed.
While charges are pending against Walker for allegedly pulling the trigger, Leath sentenced Spruell on Tuesday to seven years in state prison for acting as the getaway driver.
In handing down the sentence, Leath said the incident represented "a senseless crime directed at an innocent target by a young man who clearly has no concern for the value of this community," according to an audio recording of the hearing.
Spruell, 24, of Newark, had pleaded guilty on Nov. 9 to conspiracy to commit robbery at Jamil & Sons Family Grocery on Clinton Avenue, which was owned by Bader's family.
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors recommended the seven-year prison sentence for Spruell. Spruell must serve nearly six years before becoming eligible for parole, and he will receive credit for almost three years of time served.
Spruell was sentenced on July 9 to five years in state prison on aggravated assault and theft charges in an unrelated case. On Tuesday, Leath noted how Spruell has been arrested seven times and this case represents his third conviction on an indictable offense.
Authorities have said Spruell was the getaway driver, and he never got out of the vehicle during the robbery, when Walker allegedly shot Bader. During Tuesday's hearing, Spruell's attorney, Sterling Kinsale, said his client had "nothing to do with" the homicide, according to the recording.
Spruell declined to make a statement during the hearing.
Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Adam Wells, who handled the case, said during the hearing that the Bader family continues to be distraught over the "senseless loss" of Jamil Bader Jr., according to the recording.
Wells added that the family is eager to see Walker's case proceed, and they are satisfied with the resolution of Spruell's case.
Walker, now 20, of Newark, was 16 years old at the time of the incident, and he was later waived up to adult court.
Walker also was charged with robbing a bodega on Aug. 14, 2012, authorities said. He was scheduled to go on trial in that case when he pleaded guilty on March 4, 2014 to robbery and related offenses.
Walker was then sentenced on May 8, 2014 to a 16-year prison term. He must serve nearly 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.