On Wednesday, Oct, 24, charges against Joshua Espada, 29, of Jersey City were upgraded to reckless manslaughter in the death of Hoboken resident Luis Rivera, 38, on Oct. 20 in Jersey City.
According to a press release from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Rivera was pronounced dead on Oct. 21 at approximately 4:10 a.m. after being the victim of an alleged assault. On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head, and the manner of death to be homicide.
On Oct. 20 at approximately 3 a.m., Jersey City police officers were dispatched to the area of First Street and Marin Boulevard on a report of a street fight. Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive Rivera lying with apparent facial wounds on the ground.
Rivera was treated at the scene by Emergency Medical Services before being transported to the Jersey City Medical Center and later pronounced dead.
On Oct. 21, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Espada. He was arrested at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 23 and initially charged with aggravated assault.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the investigation and arrest to the Jersey City Police Department and members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit.
The Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department are actively investigating the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at (201) 915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Prosecutor’s Office official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.
