Police in Hunterdon County Looking for Attempted Murder Suspect
According to Anthony P. Kearns, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor, police forces throughout the county are actively looking for a suspect whom they alleged nearly stabbed a man to death in Raritan Township on New Years Day.
It seems like what started out as a verbal dispute turns into a nightmare in Raritan Township. The incident took place around 4 am New Years Day. The Defendant, a thirty-two year old male from Flemington is alleged to have stabbed the another individual with a knife in the shoulder following an argument. By the time the Raritan police arrived on scene the Defendant had already fled the area. The victim was rushed to the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, where he is listed in critical condition. Police throughout the county are still actively searching for the Defendant and are asking anyone with information as to his whereabouts to please come forward. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the Defendant has formally been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. This isn’t the first time the Defendant has been in trouble, back in 2013 he was charged in Scotch Plains with the possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and manufacturing marijuana when police discovered several pounds of raw marijuana and plants. However, these are much more serious charges. In New Jersey, anyone charged with the attempt to commit a crime will be facing the same penalties as if the crime was actually committed. So in this case, the Defendant will be facing the same penalties as if he was charged with the underlying murder.
Aggravated Assault Charges in Hunterdon County
Based on the reports, the attempted murder charge might been unfounded especially if the allegations are that the Defendant stabbed the victim one time in the shoulder. However, even if that is the case, the Defendant still would be facing a charge of aggravated assault in the second degree. In New Jersey, aggravated assault charges are in essence broken down into three separate degrees: a second degree, third degree and fourth degree. The type of injury caused or attempted to be caused will dictate what degree a Defendant is charged with. For aggravated assault in the second degree, the prosecution must prove that the victim suffered what is known as serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury as been defined as bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. If the Defendant is convicted of this offense he will be facing anywhere from five to ten years in a New Jersey Prison and a fine up to $150,00. Furthermore, this offense also falls under the No Early Release Act, which mandates that the Defendant serve at least 85% of their sentence before they can become eligible for parole. For more information on this offense, please checkout our Hunterdon County aggravated assault practice area.
Flemington NJ Aggravated Assault Lawyer
At Keith Oliver Criminal Law, we defend those accused of assault crimes like aggravated assault, terroristic threats, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a police officer, assault by auto and unlawful possession of a weapon in courts throughout Somerset and Hunterdon County. Our attorneys are well aware of the potential penalties are and the ramifications that they can have on someone’s life when it comes to an assault charge. If you would like to come into our Bridgewater office and speak to one of our criminal defense attorneys one on one then please call us at 908-533-1064 or leave us an email.
For more information on this incident, please checkout nj.com’s article labeled Police search for man involved in New Year’s Day stabbing
