NEW JERSEY -Portuguese immigrant gets 40 years in prison for fatal shooting in Long Branch
The luso-american Miguel Camara has been sentenced to 40 years in prison in the slaying of a man and attempted slaying of a woman in a New Jersey restaurant two years ago.
Forty-two-year-old Camara of Long Branch was sentenced Friday on guilty pleas in July to first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and third-degree child endangerment.
Superior Court Judge Vincent Falcetano sentenced Camara to 30 years for murder, 10 years for attempted murder and five years for child endangerment, calling the shooting a “cold-blooded, planned, deliberate attack.”
On August 21, 2018 at approximately 3:15 p.m., Long Branch Police Officer George Samol was flagged down by a motorist on Broadway who reported a fight inside the Bom DMais restaurant and a shot fired through the front window. Officer Samol entered the restaurant and observed two males and one female wrestling with Camara who was holding a gun. Officer Samol unholstered his gun and ordered Camara to drop the weapon. As the 18-year-old son of Fernanda Silva was able to gain control over Camara’s gun, Camara immediately turned to Officer Samol and grabbed ahold of his gun, trying to take possession of it. After Camara was placed under arrest, officers observed the victim, Marco Moreira lying deceased on the floor of the business. He was pronounced dead at 3:38 p.m.
The murder and attempted murder prison terms will be served consecutively, but the third term will be served at the same time as the other two. Prosecutors had recommended a 45-year term as part of their plea agreement with all terms served consecutively. His attorney had asked that all terms be served at the same time. Camara must serve 38 years before being eligible for parole.
Camara tearfully expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness, telling the court in Portuguese through an interpreter that he considered Moreira a friend and a “good person.”
“I never had any intention to harm anybody,” he added.
