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Teen Pleads Not Guilty In Shooting That Killed Jersey City Man Trying To Protect Wife

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey teenager charged in connection with the robbery and fatal shooting of a man who was trying to protect his wife faced a judge Thursday.

George Smith, 63, was shot and killed just after midnight Sunday morning outside his home on Danforth Avenue in Jersey City.

Joshua Higgins, 19, of Newark, who is charged with felony murder, robbery, and firearms offenses in connection with the shooting, pleaded not guilty on Thursday, CBS 2's Christine Sloan reported. He is being held on $500,000 bail.

Smith and his wife were returning home from the nearby Moose Lodge when they were approached by two men in their driveway. Police said one of the suspects grabbed the woman's purse and Smith was shot when he tried to get it back.

Donte Gaskin, 19, of Irvington has been charged with possession of stolen property. Prosecutors said he had Margaret Smith's cellphone. His bail was set at $75,000.

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