Jermaine Wharton, 33, was convicted of first-degree murder, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Wharton was charged in December 2021 with murder, felony murder, carjacking and weapons offenses.
On Nov. 13, 2021, at 9:19 a.m., officers were dispatched to a Shotspotter response near 900 North Main Street in Pleasantville.
Police found Ivan Smith lying on the ground from a gunshot wound. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, the prosecutor said.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and talked to a number of witnesses. Based on that investigation, detectives learned that Wharton unsuccessfully attempted to break into a witness's car and then approached the victim and his car. Shortly thereafter there was a gunshot and the victim was found dead, the prosecutor said.
After the shooting, Wharton stole the victim's car, the prosecutor said.
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