Morristown Man Convicted

MORRISTOWN MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER FOR THE BEATING DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIENDS THREE YEAR OLD

     " Edwin Urbina Was Convicted Yesterday On Charges Of Murder, Child Endangerment & Tampering With Evidence."

Thursday, March 2, 2023, 7:18 A.M. ET. By George Petruska: Englebrook Independent News,

MORRISTOWN, NJ.- On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, a Morris County Jury has Convicted a Former Morristown, New Jersey man on all Charges in connection to the Beating Death of his Girlfriend's Three Year Old Son in August of 2021, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.

     The Jury returned a Guilty verdict on March 1, 2023, following a Seven Day Trial. Edwin Urbina, 29, was found Guilty on First Degree Murder with an Aggravating Factor; Three Counts of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; Third Degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution; Two Counts of Third Degree Tampering with a Witness; and Fourth Degree Tampering with Evidence.

     On August 13, 2021, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Members of The Morristown Police Department responded to The Morristown Medical Center in Morristown on a report of a Three Year Old Boy in Cardiac Arrest. The ensuing investigation quickly determined that the Boy had Sustained Multiple Physical Injuries. Following an Autopsy, The Morris County Medical Examiner's Office determined that the Cause of Death was Blunt Force Trauma and The Manner of Death to be Homicide.

     The investigation further determined that Mr. Urbina Fatally Beat the Child in the early morning hours of August 13, 2021, resulting in the boys Death, while at The OYO Hotel in East Hanover, New Jersey. Detectives uncovered that the Murder was Witnessed by the Boy's Five Year Old Sibling. 

     Further investigation revealed that the Child's Mother, Krystal Straw, 29, was not present during the Beating, but arrived at the Hotel a short time later. Following the Child's Death, both Mr. Urbina and Ms. Straw engaged in conduct to Hinder Detective's investigation, by removing Mr. Urbina and his belongings from the Hotel, Deleting Cell Phone Texts, and informing the Child's Five Year Old Sibling from speaking with investigators.

     Detectives learned that Mr. Urbina had Physically Abused the Child on prior numerous occasions. 

     On August 17, 2021, Mr. Urbina was Arrested outside The Morris County Records and Administration Building in Morristown, New Jersey. Ms. Straw had previously been Arrested and Charged, in connection with the incident. Both Urbina and Straw remained in Custody at The Morris County Correctional Facility since their Arrest. 

     On January 12, 2023, Ms. Straw entered a Guilty Plea to Two Counts of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; Three Counts of Third Degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution; Third Degree Tampering with a Witness; and Fourth Degree Tampering with Evidence. Sentencing for Ms. Straw has been Scheduled for March 16, 2023. 

FILED UNDER MARCH 2, 2023: LAW, MORRIS: