Damien Johnson and Brian Johnson, who are not related, allegedly shot and killed Joseph Costanzo Jr. in 2008.
TRENTON — The trial of two Trenton men accused of murdering a 38-year-old Trenton man during a 2008 home invasion began today, with attorneys giving opening statements in criminal court.
Damien Johnson and Brian Johnson, who are not related, allegedly shot and killed Joseph Costanzo Jr. while robbing the home of a known drug dealer on South Clinton Avenue, assistant prosecutor Al Garcia told the jury.
Assistant prosecutor Al Garcia said Brian Johnson had planned to rob the home, which was home to at least one heroin dealer, and Damien Johnson had purchased and shown a large, silver handgun to witnesses in the months before the killing.
“(Johnson and Johnson) faced Joseph Costanzo and said something to him. His last words were, ‘I don’t have any money,’” Garcia said. “And they shot him with a large, shiny silver, .44-caliber handgun.”
Garcia said the Johnsons robbed a heroin dealer at the home before leaving Costanzo bleeding to death from a gunshot wound to the chin.
Garcia said the prosecution’s case will center around witnesses who allegedly saw Damian Johnson purchase the handgun, who can identify him — even with a mask over his face during the killing — by his lazy eye and by those to whom he sold the stolen heroin to after the murder.
Another witness is expected to testify to Brian Johnson’s plan to “run up in” the South Clinton Avenue home, just a few doors down from his own residence, when he realized that drugs were likely being sold there.
“He knew the traffic going in and out of 1429 South Clinton Avenue,” Garcia said. “He told someone, ‘You know what, I think they’re making money in there. I might have to run up in there,’ meaning rob them.”
Both men were indicted in the killing and pleaded not guilty. They posted bail of $750,000 each.
Contact Mike Davis at (609) 989-5708 or mdavis@njtimes.com.
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