Man Sentenced to 45 Years For 2018 Homicide in Jersey City

Nearly six years after a fatal stabbing in Jersey City, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez reports that the Honorable John A. Young, J.S.C. sentenced Ishmeal Coleman on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, to 45 years in New Jersey State Prison for the 2018 death of Jersey City resident Takeela Wilson.

A jury found the 48-year old Coleman guilty of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose on February 16, 2024.  Coleman’s sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act.   He is not eligible for parole until 85% of his sentence has been served.

According to Prosecutor Suarez, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on August 12, 2018, the Jersey City Police Department received a report of an injured female at 391 Forrest Street. Upon arrival, responding officers located an unresponsive victim – later identified as Takeela Wilson – with an apparent stab wound to the torso.  Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 4:35 p.m.  The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be a stab wound to the chest and the manner of death to be homicide.