Guilty verdict in murder case that galvanized Camden

A Camden man today was found guilty of murder in the October 2004 shooting death of 12-year-old Pedro Molina.

Molina's death galvanized Camden at a time of rising crime, sparking a protest march and the kind of community soul-searching that takes place whenever an innocent dies violently.

Yet no one came forward with information for nearly a month until, finally, police got the tip that led to Jessie Sepulveda, who was convicted today, and another man, David Gomez.

Gomez pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and got a seven-year sentence. The two men with Gomez and Sepulveda that night were not charged. Gomez testified against Sepulveda during the trial in Camden County Superior Court.

Sepulveda could receive a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.