October 20,2014/press release

John C. Johnson DOB 6/17/81), of Paulsboro NJ pleaded guilty today (10/20) to possession of a 38 cal. handgun in Paulsboro on 5/13/12 when he was prohibited from having a gun because of a prior conviction.

With narcotics convictions in 2000 and 2003, \”either one of those, you are aware, make you a certain person not to have weapons?\” Johnson’s lawyer asked him in placing the basis for the guilty plea on the record. Johnson acknowledged his lawyer’s characterization was correct.

\”Even though it is ten years after the convictions, you are still a certain person,\” the lawyer added, to which Johnson also agreed.

In a plea agreement, Senior Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Paul Colangelo will recommend that Johnson be sentenced to five years in New Jersey state prison with no possibility of parole for the entire five years. Sentencing was scheduled 1/16/15. Johnson remains free on $7,500 bail.

Johnson was arrested 5/13/12 after an employee of a Paulsboro fuel terminal heard shots fired at a nearby park on the Delaware River.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that the federal grand jury sitting in Scranton, Pennsylvania, returned an indictment yesterday charging an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan, Pennsylvania, with allegedly assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon and with the intent to commit murder. George Lyle Cullett, Jr., age 55, formerly of California, was charged with the offense. In addition, the Grand Jury returned charges alleging that Cullett conspired with another inmate to commit the attack using sharpened weapons commonly referred to as \”shanks.\” United States Attorney Peter Smith noted that the victim was another inmate who survived the attack but suffered numerous stab wounds which required treatment at a local hospital.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Special Investigation Section at USP-Canaan.

 

 

Evidence linked Wayne Williams, inset above over one of the files in his case, to 22 murders in Atlanta beginning in 1979. The FBI’s involvement began in 1980 following the abduction of a 7-year-old girl.

 

02/07/14

On July 21, 1979, a 14-year-old boy disappeared. Four days later, another teen went missing. Both, it was soon learned, had been killed.

It was the beginning of a shocking series of murders—some 29 in all—that would take place over the next 22 months in Atlanta. The victims were all young African-Americans, and as the death toll mounted, so did fear and tension across the city.

 

The Gloucester Township Police Department acknowledges National Teen Driver Safety Week.

From national safety council:

GDL is a novice driver licensing system that is proven effective at reducing teen drivers\’ high crash risk by 20-40%. States with stronger, comprehensive GDL systems see a higher reduction in teen crashes. GDL reduces teen driver exposure to high crash risk situations, such as nighttime driving and teen passengers. This allows new drivers to build experience and skills in lower-risk conditions.

Reduce risk

 

On October 18, 2014. Age 62. Of Gloucester City. Loving husband of 38 years to Ramona Donley (nee Chambers). Loving father of Jill, Billy, Bobby and Louise.Cherished grandfather of Tyler, Arthur and Chris. Dear brother of Bill (Louise), Shirley (Mike), David and Bernie.

At the request of family, funeral services will be private.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Robert A. Donley, Sr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. PH: 856-456-1142

A New Jersey appeals court today (10/20) affirmed the reckless manslaughter conviction and sentence of Carlos Bryant Jr, (DOB 10/10/86), of Glassboro NJ in the 12/18/07 fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Robert Harrell at the Williamstown NJ apartment of Bryant’s sister.

The appellate judges rejected defense arguments that the trial judge’s instructions to the jury on self-defense and her refusal to question jurors when the foreperson asked to be replaced were trial errors.

While the instructions \”may have been over-inclusive,\” there was no prejudice to the defendant, the court said in a 28-page decision.

In a brief opposing the appeal, Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Joseph Enos wrote that not only were the trial judge’s legal instructions not detrimental to Bryant, \”the jury charge benefited him,\” a point today’s decision also made. The instructions allowed the jury to determine whether Bryant used \”non-deadly force,\” which the judges concluded \”could only have been advantageous to defendant.\”

The appellate decision found no \”claim of juror irregularity\” requiring the trial judge to conduct an interrogation of jurors.

The appeals court also found Bryant’s eight-year prison sentence was supported by the defendant’s \”history of violence\” and the need for deterrence. The defense claim that the sentence should have considered provocation of Bryant as a factor in his favor was \”negated\” in the judge’s recitation of events, Enos said. \”You recklessly caused the death of an unarmed man, while you sister pleaded with you to leave,\” the judge told Bryant at sentencing.

Only on the issue of restitution did the appeals court order reconsideration. The $5,000 payment to the state Victims of Crime Compensation Fund for Harrell’s funeral was vacated and the judges ordered a hearing on Bryant’s ability to pay that amount.

By Mark Lagerkvist | New Jersey Watchdog

What happens when Gov. Chris Christie’s staff is caught lying to a New Jersey courtabout the existence of public records?

That legal bombshell may explode in Mercer County Superior Court this week in the governor’s battle with a New Jersey Watchdog reporter over travel expense accounts.

Documents surfaced that directly contradict the claims of Christie’s lawyers that the governor and his staff do not use state credit cards for travel and don’t have any records.

\”The governor’s office does not use Travel Cards and thus does not have Travel Card statements,\” stated Christie associate counsel Javier Diaz in a certification filed with the court. Similar to an affidavit, a certification carries penalties for willful false statements.

 

CNBNEWS TIPS AND SNIPPETS

by WILLIAM E.CLEARY SR. 

BROOKERS ATTENDING MLB WORLD SERIES—The 2014 Brooklawn American Legion World Series Champion team is in Kansas City, Kansas today where they will attend the World Series as the guest of honor of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Brooklawn team will get to see the first two games of the series. Brooklawn will be on the field to receive the MLB Commissioner\’s Award prior to Game 2 Wednesday night. It is interesting to note that Casey Fahy, a Kansas City Royals scout, played ball for the Brookers at one time. Also John Barr, the San Francisco Giants vice-president and assistant general manager also played for the Brooklawn Legion in 1975. Barr has a home in Haddonfield. 

The Brooklawn Shade Commission honored American Legion legend Joseph \”Pop\” Barth, who founded the Brooklawn Legion team in 1952 by planting a tree on Arbor Day in his honor. Mr. Barth passed away on March 1 at the age of 93.

 Thanks to Bruce Darrow for his help with the above Tip.

 The Ugly Truth About Cory Booker, New Jersey’s Golden Boy is a scathing article written