August 25, 2010
Office of The Attorney General
– Paula T. Dow, Attorney General
Division of Criminal Justice
– Stephen J. Taylor, Director
Media Inquiries-
Peter Aseltine
609-292-4791
Citizen Inquiries-
609-292-4925
Camden Man Pleads Guilty to 2009 Shooting in City
TRENTON –Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that a Camden man pleaded guilty to aggravated assault today in connection with a 2009 shooting that left a man wounded.
According to Director Taylor, Michael Daniels, 26, of Camden, pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault before Superior Court Judge Michele M. Fox in Camden County. In pleading guilty, Daniels admitted that he shot a 17-year-old male on Sept. 23, 2009 at Princess and Kaighn Avenues in Camden. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Daniels be sentenced to 10 years in state prison, including 8 ½ years without possibility of parole. Judge Fox scheduled sentencing for Daniels for Oct. 7.
Deputy Attorney General Kristen Harberg took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau. The charge, which was contained in a Jan. 27 Camden County grand jury indictment, stemmed from a joint investigation by the New Jersey State Police, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Camden City Police.
The investigation revealed that on Sept. 23, 2009. Daniels and a co-defendant, Marcus Jones, 24, of Camden, walked past the victim, and the victim attempted to shake hands with the defendants. Daniels refused to shake the victim’s hand, and an argument and scuffle ensued. Jones allegedly handed Daniels a gun, and Daniels chased the victim with the gun. The victim ultimately put his hands up and begged Daniels not to shoot him, but Daniels shot him in the torso at close range. The victim was hospitalized after the shooting but survived.
Jones was charged in the Jan. 27 indictment with aggravated assault (2nd degree), aggravated assault (3rd degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (2nd degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (2nd degree), possession of a weapon as a convicted felon (2nd degree), transfer of a community gun (2nd degree), and resisting arrest (4th degree). He is scheduled for trial on Jan. 24 before Judge Fox. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine, while fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months and a $10,000 fine. The indictment is merely an accusation and Jones is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Acting Attorney General Dow credited the investigators who conducted the investigation. They are Investigator Michael Dougherty of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office; Cpl. Orlando Perez, Sgt. Zsakhiem James, Officer Leon Reed, and Detective Bill Schaefer of the Camden City Police Department; and Detective Marco Rodriguez and Sgt. Larry Wachter of the New Jersey State Police.
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