Gov. Phil Murphy Wednesday signed into law an independent prosecutor bill that requires the state attorney general to supersede county prosecutors in any death investigation involving law enforcement officers. Additionally, if charges are pressed, the trial must take place in a county outside of where the incident occurred.
This is a tremendous victory for justice in New Jersey, for the families, friends and colleagues of those who have been the victims of police shootings or have died while in police custody. This is a victory for the 94 percent of African Americans who voted for Murphy and had faith that he would do right by us, and it’s a victory for those long silenced for their criticisms decrying maltreatment by some members of law enforcement, and for those of our predecessors in our many faith traditions who have labored for justice only to see the fruits of their labors denied.
