CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – A Hightstown man who was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault in connection with the death of 19-year-old Kaiden Braithwaite and assault of Mikal Braithwaite in Wildwood last spring has been sentenced to 19 years in New Jersey State Prison, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office has announced.

DaJohn Taylor was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury Jr. and is subject to the No Early Release Act. Under the act, Taylor must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole, meaning he will serve at least 16 years before being considered for release.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 11, 2023. An investigation revealed that a group of individuals was walking by 307 E. Magnolia Ave. in Wildwood at approximately 2:15 a.m. and had a verbal argument with a second group of individuals standing on the porch of that residence.

The verbal dispute escalated to a physical altercation, during which Taylor stabbed Braithwaite, of Cliffwood, and two other individuals multiple times. Taylor then fled the scene, according to police.

Taylor’s conviction for aggravated assault was for inflicting serious injuries on Kaiden Braithwaite’s cousin, Mikal Braithwaite, who sustained permanent nerve damage.

County Prosecutor Jeff Sutherland commended the Wildwood Police Department and the team of detectives and prosecutors who worked on the case.