After a murder trial over the killing of a man in 2013 inside a North Trenton housing complex ended in the third-straight hung jury, the defense filed a motion asking that the criminal charges against the defendant finally be dropped. The request was made after the defendant, who has already faced three trials over the incident for weapons and murder charges, saw the same result once again for the charge of murder. The defense lawyer has made the case that his client had to defend himself on three separate occasions to the state and all three times he was not found guilty. In each case that was brought to court, the state continually brought new evidence to prove their case, from surveillance footage to blood evidence, as well as testimonies from two separate female witnesses who were in the surrounding area of the housing complex when the victim was killed. Yet despite the state’s mounting evidence, every jury that has heard the case in court was unable to come to the conclusion that the defendant was guilty. That is why a guilty verdict had never been reached in the NJ criminal case. It is because of this that the defendant’s attorney has requested that the charges be dismissed: the failure of the state to prove their case after three separate attempts, he argues, should be enough to grant him his demand.
Prosecution Continues to Bring Charges for Murder in Trenton, NJ
The prosecutor for the state who has been working this case from the beginning has not made a comment on the hung jury verdict, as the case is still currently ongoing. He did, however, make a point to thank the latest jury for their service in what has clearly been a very trying case. It is not known at this point if there will be another attempt to try and convict the accused, although it may be too early to make any sort of decision on what the future holds until the pending dismissal motion has been discussed at a status conference hearing for the remaining charges.
Criminal Weapons Charges & Penalties in New Jersey
While the juries in all three cases never came to a decision on the murder accusations, the last jury did find the defendant guilty on one count of second degree unlawful possession of a weapon. While clearly not as serious as a murder charge, this offense does carry a possible maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. There is a chance that the defendant could face some prison time even if the murder charges are eventually dropped.
Free Consultation with an Experienced Weapons Offense Attorney in Mercer County, NJ
Unlawful possession of a firearm can be classified as a second or third degree felony. Even if the firearm was obtained and owned legally, there are rules on exactly how and where it can be used. If you’ve been charged with illegal possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, or any other criminal weapons offense in NJ, you will need a knowledgeable criminal attorney who knows all of the rules surrounding firearms and who can stand up for your rights in court. Contact the law office of the Davis Law Firm, LLC at 609-587-9100 to schedule a free consultation today. The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
