FIRST REPORT: The trial for Jaime Gonzalez, the man suspected of shooting four Lakewood Police Officers during a no-knock warrant, will begin tomorrow, First Acting Assistant Prosecutor William Heisler tells TLS.
Gonzalez, 40, was indicted on 34 counts about five months after the early morning shootout on MacKenzie Court which left five officers wounded – four from bullet wounds.
On September 24, 2009, a multi-agency team consisting of Lakewood Police, State Police, members of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, moved in to conduct the no-knock warrant. Officers broke down the door shortly after 2 AM, and were met with gunfire by Gonzalez, who was waiting for the officers at the top of the stairs, official said at the time. The story was first reported by TLS.
Authorities at the time said they were trying to determine whether the suspect was tipped off about the raid after police arrested another suspect in the case earlier.
Lakewood Patrolman Jonathan Wilson, 33, was shot in the face and then Lt. Gregory Meyer was shot in the foot. Officer Leonard Nieves Senior. and Sgt. Louis suffered less serious injuries because they were shot in the chest and were protected by the bullet-proof vests.
The officers involved in the raid returned fire, and shot Gonzalez multiple times, but he survived.
Since the incident, three of the five officers injured the operation, have retired due to their injuries. The retired officers are Lenny Nieves Senior, Jonathan Wilson and Jason Diffoot. Gregory Meyer and Louis Sasso recovered from their injuries.
Gonzalez will hear Opening Statements tomorrow in at the Ocean County Courthouse, Heisler told TLS.
Gozalez was indicted on 11 counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault for each of the officers involved in the raid, several drug offenses and weapons charges. One of the weapons charges included receiving a stolen handgun used to shoot the officers.
Each Attempted Murder charge and first degree Drug Charge carries a 20 year prison sentence. TLS.
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This report was also sent out on our News Alerts.
waste of tax payer money and this is why we are broke. instead of helping the homeless we will be paying millions to give this guy a fair trial.
about time the trial starts !!!!!!!
I agree with number 1. just put him away for life and save the $100’s of $1000’s of trial fees/costs.
This is not the truth! 11 officers did not return fire only 3 officers return ed fire! Unfortunately the truth wasn’t told. Its really a shame that the truth wasn’t really put out for the public. I wish everyone the best. The owner and operator should reach out for a friend he knows.
while I agree this guy should probably see the death penalty or at least the rest of his life in prison, in this country you are innocent until proven guilty(and he will) everyone does get their day in court ,you cannot throw out the rules ,when we revert to that we are no better than countries run by dictators
? Has a good and somewhat valid point,
Here is a question for everyone,
Why did this take so long?
hey Porky, original name there bud, we know who you are. Regardless of what you think, your drug dealing homeboy had a stolen gun, bulletproof vest, and hollow point ammunition, oh yeah and drugs and cash and he didn’t work. so too bad 29 officers didn’t fire at him……….he should rot in jail for 100 years
WOW ! How many bullets came from that Gonzalez fellow that injured the Officer’s ? I thought all the rounds that injured the Officer’s came from there own guns – they fired so many rounds they all ricochet back to themselves – It for all of us taxpayers, but this raid should of been studied closely and should of has taken over 4 years to get a trial ? Hope they have all the correct evidence for this trial. Thank goodness there were no fatalaties. Most definately this is will be very costlybeen confirmed that they had a Big Gun Dealer/Drug Dealer – nothing of that magnitude was ever recovered at the scene or anywhere else. Very Confused !
That’s what all night drugging and paranoia will do to you when u think ur invincible.
Unlike others I’m not afraid to put my name and speak my mind. Its ashame that people have to sit here and judge my cousin without knowing the truth. If you weren’t there and you don’t know the truth don’t judge leave it in Gods hands. He may not be perfect but who is but he did not shoot to kill the cops. Do you really think for one moment the police dept is gonna make it look like it was there fault. Would it have taken this long if he was really guilty on the shooting. Well I wish I could say more but I can’t so to mr/mrs ? Don’t condemn anyone to death unless you know the truth and why not say who you are…Porky thank you for supporting my cousin.
It’s taken 4 yrs because the states case is weak