The Alternative Press

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - A 32-year-old Orange man was sentenced today to 18 years in state prison for the 2010 killing of a Maplewood man.

John Staten was sentenced for killing Arthur Downey, 27, in his Maplewood home, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.

The killing occurred in March 2010. Authorities say Downey and Staten met through a telephone chat service. When they arranged to meet in person, Downey picked up Staten and drove him to his Maplewood home. Downey’s body was discovered by his roommate the next morning. An autopsy determined Downey, a chef employed by Rutgers University, died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.

Staten was originally charged with murder, felony murder, burglary and weapons offense. As part of a plea agreement, on May 15 Staten entered a guilty plea to first degree aggravated manslaughter and weapons offenses.

Assistant Prosecutor Margarita Rivera, who handled the sentencing, argued for a 20-year sentence. The judge
imposed an 18-year sentence requested by the defense lawyer. Under the No Early Release Act (NERA), Staten
must serve 85 percent of his 18-year sentence before he is eligible for parole. After his release he will be on
parole for five years.

“As his family so eloquently stated, Mr. Downey was a young aspiring chef who had so much to live for and his
life was taken for no reason. This was a terrible tragedy,’’ said Rivera.

Staten has five prior convictions and 17 prior arrests. He has been incarcerated since Oct. 20, 2010 when he was
arrested for killing Downey.