The Star Ledger is reporting that state attorney general Paula Dow — formerly the Essex County prosecutor — will not conduct a separate investigation into the Dean Gaymon’s shooting death in Branch Brook Park by an undercover detective on July 16. The American Civil Liberties Union-NJ
“The public’s confidence in this investigation depends on whether the professionals undertaking it operate independently, outside of the county structure,” ACLU-NJ executive director Deborah Jacobs said at the time.
Before Gov. Christie appointed her attorney general, Dow was the boss of acting prosecutor Robert Laurino, who is now in charge of the case.
The objectivity of the county may be further compromised by the fact that the man unofficially identified as the shooter is Edward Esposito, former driver to county executive Joe DiVincenzo.
NJ Attorney General Won’t Review Gaymon Case
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Wow, this just stinks in so many different ways.
You got that right, Pete.
Normally, I am not a fan of the ACLU but in this case, they are right on. Shame on you, NJ Atty. General.
Time to bring in the Feds.
I smell a cover-up!
It was time to bring in the Feds already – the state was too close to the politics on this anyway – -and now you see just how close.
The Feds should be in, and in fast. All we’re calling for here is an honest and independent investigation. If the officer is honestly and legitimately cleared, fine. But we don’t want a lack of charges due to politics!
So far what we have is a disgraceful and unbelievable formal written (press release) announcement of the “details” of what happened, as self-conflicting as it was. Then that was followed by some informal comments to the press that majorly changed the details on key points to fix the story.
Changed details included first putting in writing that Gaymon ran and then lunged at the officer and Gaymon reached for his OWN pocket, so the officer shot him fearing he was about to pull out a gun. Later, after an outcry about the unbeleivable story (other parts just did not add up), that was changed to say that they got into a “tussle,” which means contact, and that Gaymon grabbed for the officer’s gun! The story evolved into something that sounds plausible, but in the context of it changing, is completely unbeleivable as true.
That is a HUGE change of story! How can these people be believed or trusted with this investigation!? All they’re trying to do is figure out what the public want to hear and tell them that!
Everything about this just stinks…I hope the truth is able to come out.
While I don’t disagree that it LOOKS odd, to suggest some grand cover-up is a stretch and overblown.
Really, what does Dow have to gain in protecting the cop? Why would others risk their names, careers and bank accounts (if they were to be involved in a lawsuit) for this cop?
It’s easy to SAY it’s a cover-up. But spending a moment to think about it, forces one to impugn the behavior of lots of folks who have nothing to gain from the cover-up.
I’m reminded of the line in the movie “JFK,” “Who benefited? Who has the power to cover it up? ”
Sorry, folks, but the truth won’t come out in a way that satisfies any impartial citizen. The fact that officers who discharge their weapons are not formally questioned right away (of course, including being able to assert their rights to remain silent and have counsel) means that nearly every incident ends up tainted.
Every single word of the officer’s story could be true. All of it. It no longer matters after a four day hiatus. To top it all off, the county prosecutor pretty much stood up in front of the press and gave testimony as to the facts of the case. No investigation, that.
Move along, folks, nothing to see here.
I’m reminded of the line in the movie “JFK,” “Who benefited? Who has the power to cover it up? “
Uhhh, for starters, Joey DiVincenzo has the power to cover it up, if he chose to do so. As noted in the post, Esposito was his driver. And Essex County stands to benefit by not having to pay a huge civil penalty to Mr. Gaymon’s family.
I don’t *know* that the cop’s story is a lie, or that there’s a cover-up going on here. But the fact they are declining to do any kind of real, independent investigation into the matter indicates a real contempt for the public. It is absolutely outrageous.
“But the fact they are declining to do any kind of real, independent investigation into the matter indicates a real contempt for the public. It is absolutely outrageous.”
Business as usual in the Garden State.
“All we’re calling for here is an honest and independent investigation. If the officer is honestly and legitimately cleared, fine. But we don’t want a lack of charges due to politics!” – so totally agree! Without some sort of impartial investigation this will always be tainted.
“what does Dow have to gain in protecting the cop? Why would others risk their names, careers and bank accounts…for this cop?” – if the connections already mentioned were not enough to raise doubt, the fact that we live in Essex County in New Jersey makes those questions seem a bit naive.
But I don’t see the Feds jumping into this one and in the end I agree with appletony, “the truth won’t come out in a way that satisfies any impartial citizen” and that sucks.
I wonder if people were to contact their US representatives and ask for a federal investigation whether some pressure might be brought to bear. I’m contacting Pascrell.
There is a possibility that an investigation is continuing, and that the AG is satisfied that it is being conducted properly. But the reporting by both the papers and the prosecutor’s office seems sketchy. Is Paula Dow Christie’s choice, or is she left over?
Dow was appointed by Christie.
More on Dow from the Wiki:
In 2003, Dow was nominated by Governor Jim McGreevey to be Essex County Prosecutor. She was opposed by some local leaders, such as Newark Mayor Sharpe James. State senators from Essex County blocked her confirmation, saying that they had not been consulted by McGreevey on the appointment.[1] After serving as Acting Prosecutor for two years, she was sworn in as Prosecutor in June 2005 by Governor Richard Codey.[3]
On December 15, 2009, in his first cabinet announcement, then-Governor-elect Chris Christie nominated Dow as Attorney General of New Jersey.[1] She became Acting Attorney General on January 19, 2010. On February 8, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved her nomination to a full term.[4][5] The full Senate unanimously confirmed her nomination on February 22, and she was sworn in the following day.
Dow lives in Maplewood and is a single mother of two.
Dow is an honest Prosecutor.
KatebirdRex, you fail to address the FIRST part of the JFK quote: “Who benefited?”
What does Dow and Joe D have to gain from a cover-up?
If you can provide a real motive other than the cop was his driver, I may be swayed.
Until then, I’m not.
This case is so politically charged on so many levels it begs for a federal investigation, even if only to determine independently that it was handled appropriately and no further investigation is required. It has gay rights issues, civil rights issues, police brutality issues, conflict of interest and inside cover up issues. Even if the state were inclined to investigate, Dow is too connected to Essex County to be impartial. Christie could possibly appoint someone less connected to Essex County, but why would he? His power base is strengthened if Essex County is tainted by the appearance of corruption; he’s no champion of gay rights and Dow is his pick.