1st defendant in NJ schoolyard execution-style murders sentenced to life plus 20 years

The first defendant convicted in the 2007 execution-style slayings of three friends and an attack on a fourth in the New Jersey schoolyard has been sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years.

The sentence means Rodolfo Godinez (goh-DEE'-nez) must serve at least 218 years for his conviction on the murder, robbery and weapons charges. He received a life term for each of the three who died, and 20 years for the survivor.

The 27-year-old immigrant from Nicaragua didn't speak during Thursday's sentencing in Newark.

The murders of Dashon Harvey, Terrance Aeriel and the Iofemi (eye-OH'-feh-mee) Hightower and the shooting and stabbing of a fourth stunned New Jersey's largest city.

The victims were enrolled or about to be enrolled at Delaware State University.

Five other defendants are awaiting trial.

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