Andre Higgs
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II today announced that Andre Higgs, 53, of Watchung, has been convicted by a jury in a second trial for the 2015 murder of his former girlfriend Latrena May, of East Orange.
Higgs was found guilty of first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun. Following those verdicts, Higgs was also convicted of first-degree unlawful possession of a handgun by a person who has previously been convicted of a crime under the No Early Release Act as well as second-degree certain persons not to have weapons.
Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab and Assistant Prosecutor Tehilla Cohen tried the case before The Honorable Ronald Wigler, J.S.C.
The prosecution proved that on May 1, 2015, Higgs shot the 27-year-old teacher outside her home in East Orange. The shooting occurred after May ran from her home to escape an attack by Higgs and flagged down a police vehicle. As East Orange Detective Kemon Lee exited his vehicle and approached, Higgs fired multiple shots at May. Detective Lee returned fire, striking Higgs in the legs. After the shooting, Higgs barricaded himself in the residence where the couple’s then four-year-old daughter was sleeping.
Higgs was originally sentenced to life in prison in 2017 following his first conviction for murder. In 2023, the New Jersey Supreme Court overturned that conviction and ordered a new trial. The Supreme Court ruled Higgs’ attorneys should have been granted access to Detective Lee’s internal affairs records and permitted to cross-examine Lee about prior on-duty shootings.
Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab said, “This second conviction for murder for Andre Higgs was possible only because of the brave witnesses who once again came forward to testify about the defendant’s callous actions. As we said in 2017 and repeat today, Detective Kemon Lee was a hero that day for responding to Latrena May and attempting to save her from the grip of her abuser.” Assistant Prosecutor Cohen added, “We thank Ms. May’s family for their unwavering faith in this office and the judicial system throughout this lengthy process.”
Higgs is scheduled for sentencing on February 26, 2026. He faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison. Prosecutors will again recommend a sentence of life imprisonment, as it is consistent with the original recommendation.
The public is encouraged to report any information related to criminal activity by contacting the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.