New Jersey Woman Sentenced For Strangling Girlfriend And Burying The Body
Jennifer Sweeney has been sentenced for killing her girlfriend, 41-year-old Tyrita Julius.
According to the Asbury Park Press, Sweeney, 38, was sentenced to 95 years in prison on May 7. In November 2015, after allegedly believing that Julius was losing interest in their relationship, she reportedly enlisted Andre Harris, 38, to shoot her. Julius and her teenage daughter were shot by Harris in their car. They both survived and Julius was hospitalized for over a month. However, by March of 2016, she went missing.
Julius’ mother reported her daughter missing. Sweeney claimed she dropped Julius off at a train station and never saw her again. The judge stated that Sweeney joined family and friends on a search to find Julius.
Investigators discovered Sweeney buried Julius’ body in Andre Harris’ backyard, which is located in Long Branch, New Jersey. Julius’ remains were found in August of 2016, wrapped in two garbage bags with an electrical cord around her neck.
Sweeney was given 20 years for the shooting and 75 years for the murder conviction.
Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman said at sentencing, “It is difficult to imagine a more heinous scheme of manipulation and cold-hearted depravity over four months than that orchestrated by Jennifer Sweeney.”
Bauman also added, “Evidence at trial then revealed that the defendant denied Miss Julius a proper burial and dumped her in a hole dug by Mr. Harris on his own property.”
Andre Harris was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement and will serve 85 percent before he is eligible for parole. He claimed Sweeney threatened to shoot his children if he didn’t go along with the plan to kill Julius. He also alleged Sweeney was motivated by jealousy.
Jennifer Sweeney has maintained her innocence.
