A man who police say murdered his girlfriend in Pennsylvania was apprehended in New Jersey after allegedly attempting to harm the girlfriend's family in Trenton, New Jersey. The defendant is facing criminal homicide and other charges in Pennsylvania, and attempted homicide, assault and additional charges in New Jersey.

If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, particularly if they are serious ones such as those that the defendant in this case is facing, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side to protect your rights and defend you against the allegations made against you. Contact the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation to learn more about how our experienced attorneys can help you.

A Killing in Bensalem

According to a news report, a man named Orenthia Upshur phoned a relative early on January 15, 2025, and told the relative that he had shot his girlfriend, Maisha Coon, in a Bensalem, Pennsylvania hotel room. When the relative alerted police, they traced Ms. Coon's mobile phone to a hotel room in that area and found her dead, with apparent gunshot wounds.

According to police, the hotel surveillance camera shows Upshur leaving the hotel with a handgun in his pocket.

Shootings and a Standoff in Trenton

At about 4:30 am that same morning, police in Trenton, New Jersey responded to a 911 call of shots fired. The caller reported that a man was shooting from a pickup truck. When officers arrived in response to the 911 call, another call came in reporting a burglary in progress nearby. The caller said that a man, possibly armed, was attempting to enter a home. Police arrived at the home and surrounded it, then determined that Upshur had barricaded himself inside the home. A Mercer County Tactical Response Team was able to enter the building and take Upshur into custody.

According to news reports, the home that Upshur was targeting in Trenton was occupied by members of Ms. Coon's family, and Upshur was attempting to harm her family when he was apprehended.

The Charges Against Upshur

Upshur faces charges in both New Jersey and in Pennsylvania. In New Jersey, he faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault on law enforcement officers. In Pennsylvania, he faces a criminal homicide charge as well as a number of other charges related to his actions in that state.

Serious Charges Require a Serious Defense

If you are facing serious criminal charges, you need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney from the Lento Law Firm. The attorneys from our Criminal Defense Team have spent years defending clients charged with all levels of crime – including violent crime – in courts across New Jersey. We know what it takes for prosecutors to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, and we will fight for you to protect your rights and defend you against the charges you face.

When you face charges in more than one state, the stakes are even higher. The Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team is able to deliver coordinated defense efforts for our clients in multiple courts across the country when necessary.

When years or decades of your life is on the line, you need help from an attorney who will fight for you and your future. Call the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team today at 888.535.3686, or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. Tell us about your case, and let us tell you what we can do to help.