Flynn & Scharfenberger: Releasing NJ Cop Killer is a Disgrace & Insult to Law Enforcement

Middletown, N.J. – Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (NJLD13) empathically denounce the New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision ordering the parole of convicted cop killer Sundiata Acoli who is notoriously known for his role in the 1973 murder of NJ State Trooper Werner Foerster:

“We all must stand with law enforcement today due to the unfortunate decision issued by the NJ Supreme Court to overrule the parole board and subsequently authorize the release of a cop killer. This is so unbelievable and tragic, especially as law enforcement kicked off its Unity Tour,” Assemblywoman Flynn stated. “A simple reading of the decision demonstrated that it is a results-oriented decision since there is no legal basis to let this killer go free, especially since he has not expressed remorse after all these years for the death of one of our state’s police officers. The Foerster family is my thoughts and prayers today and always.”

“This decision is an absolute disgrace and is a slap in the face to every law enforcement officer in New Jersey. It is unfathomable how some members of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the highest court in the state, can make a callous ruling – there is no excuse whatsoever for this murderer to be given a chance at parole,” said Assemblyman Scharfenberger. “Adding more insult to this ruling is hearing that one of the reasons for the parole was because of Acoli’s “verbal renunciation of violence’ – this is ludicrous, you shouldn’t get a pass for murdering a State Trooper because you suddenly proclaim to be a pacifist – it’s outrageous!”

The New Jersey Supreme Court’s 3-2 decision officially overturned the NJ Parole Board’s denial of Acoli’s parole request just days after May 2^nd, which marks 49 years since Trooper Foerster was murdered in the line of duty. It is also important to note that Acoli’s accomplice Joanne Chesimard is still wanted by the FBI for her role in the death of Trooper Foerster, but has evaded capture by hiding in Cuba:

“I agree with the dissenting opinion issued by Justice Lee Solomon in which he said it is not the role of the Court to second-guess the Parole Board’s decision. There is no justification for this, it is completely illogical and just signals even more to criminals that New Jersey is soft on crime,” Flynn concluded.

“In a time when law enforcement officers are being attacked from every angle, the last place you’d expect this to be coming from is the Supreme Court. It is an institution which is supposed to be the standard-bearer of our justice system but has instead made the choice to dishonor the memory and sacrifice of a fallen officer as well as all who are and have served,” commented Scharfenberger.