Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on first-degree murder charges in the first two trials.
SOMERVILLE -- Jury selection for the third trial of two brothers charged with first-degree murder in the 2013 fatal shooting of an aspiring rapper at a Franklin Township hair salon Tuesday afternoon after the pair rejected plea deals.
The pair's previous two trials before Somerset County Superior Court Judge Robert B. Reed ended in mistrials as jurors were unable to reach a verdict on the first-degree murder charge.
Zaire Cromedy, 23, of New Brunswick, and Antwan Cromedy, 31, of Bound Brook, have been charged in the Dec. 29, 2013 killing of New Brunswick resident Eric Andrews, Jr., 28, a hip-hop artist who performed under the moniker "E-9."
Zaire Cromedy was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Antwan Cromedy was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon - a knife.
In the first trial, Antwan Cromedy was acquitted of possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Assistant Prosecutor Robert Hawkes offered the pair separate plea deals Tuesday morning in which Antwan Cromedy would've been eligible for parole in 15 months with time served and Zaire Cromedy would've been eligible for parole in 35 months with time served.
Instead, the pair rejected the offers and are each facing a life sentence if found guilty of first-degree murder with a minimum of 30 years served before being eligible for parole.
Aspiriing rapper killed over dice game
Hawkes offered to reduce Zaire Cromedy's first-degree murder charge to second-degree manslaughter if he pleaded guilty to the gun charge. He would've been sentenced to seven years in prison with 85 percent served before becoming eligible for parole.
Zaire Cromedy has already served 36 months in prison and would've had to serve another 35 months before being eligible for parole.
Hawkes offered to lower Antwan Cromedy's first-degree murder charge to second-degree reckless manslaughter. He would've been sentenced to five years with 85 percent served without parole. He has also served 36 months in prison and would've been eligible for parole in 15 months.
After mulling over the offers, the pair returned to court in the afternoon and told the judge they will stand trial for a third time.
The prosecution alleges that Antwan Cromedy gave his brother, Zaire, the gun and told him to shoot Andrews as he ran towards the back door of the hair salon following an argument in which Antwan pulled a knife.
According to previous testimony, at approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at the Nu Trendz Hair Salon on Somerset Street, the brothers, as well as Eric Andrews, Jr., Eric Andrews, Sr., Kelton, Byrom and several others, gathered to watch football games. The hair salon was a regular gathering spot to watch games on Sundays.
On this Sunday, the group had gathered to watch the San Francisco 49ers play the Kansas City Chiefs.
While some were watching the game, Antwan Cromedy, Eric Andrews, Jr. and others were in the front of the salon playing a dice game. Eric Andrews, Jr. was the "bank;" the person who held the money, officials have said.
At one point, Antwan Cromedy demanded his money, $50, from Eric Andrews, Jr., officials have said. An altercation ensued and Antwan Cromedy allegedly pulled a knife on Eric Andrews, Jr. and then handed a handgun to Zaire Cromedy, telling his brother to shoot Andrews, prosecutors have said.
Zaire Cromedy fired one shot at Eric Andrews, Jr., who was running towards the back door of the salon, prosecutors said..
Eric Andrews, Jr. was part of a rap duo along with longtime friend George Opoku, also known as 6FO. The up-and-coming pair had been scheduled to perform at SOB's in New York and had previously performed alongside prominent artists, including hip-hop superstar Waka Flocka Fame, for the song "M.O.N.E.Y."
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.