Attacked with a Brick at the Morristown Train Station - 18 Years in Connection with 2021 Homicide

At approximately 12:29 am on March 29, 2021, police received information of a deceased male at the Morristown Train Station, Morris Street, Morristown, New Jersey.

The body was located at the bottom of a stairwell at the station – upon further investigation, law enforcement confirmed that the male sustained head injuries.

A brick was found next to the body and determined as the murder weapon post autopsy, performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner, which classified the death as a homicide.

The victim was later identified as Matthew Palla. Further investigation, including accessing video surveillance, revealed that Palla was with another individual, Lamar Harris, in the vicinity of the Morristown Train Station prior to the homicide.

The investigation also revealed that Matthew Palla was in possession of approximately $800 prior to the homicide.

On June 15, 2022, Lamar Harris pled guilty to first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter and third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking before Judge Stephen J. Taylor. On August 11, 2022, Judge Taylor imposed a sentence of 18 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act, which makes the defendant ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of the sentence.

Judge Taylor also imposed a concurrent sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison on the Theft charge and ordered Lamar Harris to pay $800 restitution.

Lamar Harris, 34, of 1 Jean Street, Morristown, NJ, will serve up to 18 years in prison for homicide and theft.

For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

Follow Morristown Minute on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more state and local updates.