State of New Jersey v. Latonia E. Bellamy

── State of New Jersey v. Latonia E. Bellamy ── Court: New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division Date: May 13, 2026 Category: General NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited . R. 1:36-3. SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-0321-24 STATE OF NEW JERSEY, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. LATONIA E. BELLAMY, a/k/a NA-NA, LATONIA ELIZABETH BELLAMY, and LATONIA BELLAMY, Defendant-Appellant. _______________________ Argued April 28, 2026 – Decided May 13, 2026 Before Judges Gilson, Firko, and Perez Friscia. On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Hudson County, Indictment No. 11-03-0348. Joseph J. Russo, Assistant Public Defender, argued the cause for appellant (Jennifer N. Sellitti, Public Defender, attorney; Joseph J. Russo and Claude C. Heffron, First Assistant Deputy Public Defender, of counsel and on the briefs). Colleen Kristan Signorelli, Assistant Prosecutor, argued the cause for respondent (Wayne Mello, Hudson  County Prosecutor, attorney; Colleen Kristan Signorelli, on the briefs). Jennifer B. Condon argued the cause for amici curiae Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center (Seton Hall University School of Law Center for Social Justice, attorneys; Jennifer B. Condon, on the brief). Laura Cohen argued the cause for amicus curiae Rutgers Criminal and Youth Justice Clinic and American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Foundation (Rutgers Criminal and Youth Justice Clinic, American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Foundation, and Lowenstein Sandler LLP, attorneys; Laura Cohen, Jeanne LoCicero, Ezra D. Rosenberg, and Alexander Shalom, on the brief). Fox Rothschild LLP, attorneys for amicus curiae Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (Marissa Koblitz Kingman, of counsel and on the brief; Jenna M. Leanza, on the brief). PER CURIAM Defendant Latonia E. Bellamy appeals from the trial court's September 16, 2024 order denying her motion to extend to her, as a young adult criminal offender, the constitutional protections afforded to juveniles when sentenced as adults. She also appeals from the September 27, 2024 amended judgment of conviction and sentence imposed. Having reviewed the record, parties' arguments, and applicable law, we affirm. A-0321-24 2  I. This matter returns to us for the third time. We summarize from the record the facts and procedural history relevant on appeal. After a jury trial, defendant was convicted of the execution-style murders of Nia Haqq and Michael Muchioki in Jersey City. During the early morning hours of April 4, 2010, Haqq and Muchioki returned home after celebrating their engagement at a party with friends and family. After parking and exiting their vehicle, they were met by defendant and co-defendants, Shiquan Bellamy1 and Darmellia Lawrence (collectively defendants). Shiquan is defendant's cousin. The victims were on the sidewalk near their vehicle when Shiquan ordered them to lie on the ground and "give him everything." The victims complied and were lying face d