Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman

WATSON COLEMAN: NEW JERSEY NEEDS LAW TO SHIELD WITNESSES FROM GANG INTIMIDATION

Majority Leader's Measure Would Expand Essex County Initiative Statewide

(TRENTON) - Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today said the entire state should follow the example of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in shielding crime-scene witnesses from intimidation and threats by criminal street gangs and said she is redoubling efforts to pass such witness protections into law.

Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) called for stronger statewide witness protections in the wake of an article in The Sunday Star-Ledger that outlined how law enforcement authorities in Essex County and other "high crime" areas are encountering a surge in witness intimidation by street gangs.  Essex County prosecutors say the sharp spike in witness intimidation cases has caused many material witnesses to refuse to testify for fear of their personal safety.

Authorities around the state say witnesses are increasingly expressing fear about reprisals by gang members accused of crimes.  An article in The Times of Trenton last week cited police concerns that they are unable to solve several recent homicides due to witnesses' fear of gang reprisals.

To combat this alarming trend, Essex prosecutors have begun redacting the names and other personal information of witnesses in information released to defense attorneys prior to the start of a trial.  Watson Coleman said that strategy closely mirrors witness-protection legislation she crafted last year as part of her sweeping "Fighting Gangs, Protecting Our Youth" legislative package.

"The witness-intimidation tactics that gangs are employing in Essex County are being seen across the state," said Watson Coleman.  "If we are going to repel rising gang-related violence and homicide rates, then law enforcement authorities everywhere are going to need better tools to protect witnesses from threats and harm."

Watson Coleman's measure (A-2989) would bar the disclosure of all personal identifying information save the name of a witness testifying or submitting evidence to a grand jury.  Attorneys would still have access to the redacted information, however any attorney who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly discloses that information could face up to 18 months in jail and $10,000 in fines.

Watson Coleman expressed interest in working with Essex County officials and the statewide prosecutors' organization to pass legislation mandating information redaction in gang and violent crime cases that will help ensure witness safety and reduce chances of a piecemeal approach to witness protection in New Jersey.

Evidentiary discovery and other court disclosure rules should not be viewed as an open door for witness intimidators," said Watson Coleman.  "The law-abiding public needs to know they will not be trapped in situations where they could be threatened, beaten, or murdered by the very people they are to testify against at a trial."

Watson Coleman cited a March 28 Times of Trenton article as proof these intimidation tactics are working.  The article reports the latest broad-daylight killing in Trenton and outlines witnesses silence due to fear of gang reprisal and police frustration in being unable to pursue proper investigations due to lack of witness cooperation.  Multiple pleas from police and civic organizations for people with knowledge of this or any of the other recent Trenton homicides to come forward have been met with limited success.  To date, only one suspect has been arrested because of witness testimony.

Watson Coleman's measure was passed by the Assembly last May.  She said the recent published reports should help raise awareness of why her measure should become law.

"By improving witness safety and protection, we are increasing the odds that people will come forward to help prosecute gang-related crimes," said Watson Coleman.  "This will help us keep gang members where they belong - off our streets and behind bars or in proven, credible rehabilitation programs."

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