Mayor Vows To Appeal
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Surrounded by a crowd of supporters who made the trip from Hudson County to Bradley Beach for his trial, Jersey City Mayor Jerremiah Healy vowed to appeal Judge John Colanninos decision which found him guilty of disorderly conduct and obstructing justice.
The two-day trial in Bradley Beach ended June 22 with the judges decision. Prosecution witnesses testified June 18.
The charges stem from an incident June 16, 2006 outside Barrys Tavern, on Main Street in Bradley Beach, which is owned by Healys sister.
The incident began when Healy left Barrys Tavern after a family celebration and saw Jeffrey Barnes standing on the hood of his cousin Jessica Lewis car arguing with his then fiance Jacqueline Volante.
The couple are now married and living in Florida.
Healy said he intervened to calm the situation before police were called to the scene.
Shortly after Police Officers Terry Browning and William Major arrived and the argument quickly turned from the young couple to Healy and the police officers.
The Bradley Beach court room was packed with Healys supporters who were quiet as the decisions were announced.
Outside, however, they were more vocal.
Deputy Mayor of Jersey City Leona Beldini said, This is a wonderful family.
Expressing her outrage at the judges decision she said, No good deed goes unpunished. This is a travesty of justice these are rogue cops.
Beldini said Healy should absolutely appeal the judges decision, but the appeal should be moved out of Monmouth County.
During a trial break John Reilly, who described himself as an aide to Mayor Healy, proclaimed the mayors innocence and said he should have been offered medical assistance after being Maced.
They used excessive force, said Reilly.
Judge Colannino reviewed the two days of testimony for the packed court room before rendering his decision.
The judge merged a disorderly persons offense into the obstructing justice charge and levied fines of $250 for each charge along with court costs.
Judge Colannino based his decision mainly on the fact that witnesses from both the prosecution and defense testified that after police officers arrived on the scene they instructed Healy to move on three times and the mayor did not comply.
He was told he should move on or he would be arrested. He was warned three times and he didnt do that, the judge said.
The judge also did not believe testimony from defense witnesses that Healy was Maced after being put in handcuffs.
It makes no sense that officers would use Mace after the defendant was on the ground, Colannino said.
The judge also believed testimony from prosecution witnesses that Healy scuffled with police while they attempted to cuff him.
In his testimony Healy said he did his best to get both hands behind his back to be cuffed, but that his bodily positioning hindered him.
Several prosecution witnesses said police officers, kneeled at Healys neck and lower back and pushed his face into the ground.
The judge acknowledge that Healy made a good faith effort to calm down a bad situation, but when he was told not to intervene, he chose not to take that advice.
Healy, who was the last to testify, said he told Barnes to get off the hood of the car before Bradley Beach police were called.
They dont fool around, said Healy of the boroughs police.
Conflicting testimony was offered regarding whether or not Healy was drunk when he and his wife Maureen left Barrys and whether or not Healy shouted at police that he was the mayor of Jersey City and they were not going to arrest him.
Outside Borough Hall soon after the decision, Healy said he was disappointed in the result and that an appeal was a certainty.
He said he could understand why the Judge thought it made no sense that he was Maced after being cuffed.
The judge thought is was incredible and so did I, but I was there, said Healy.
Healy added that he certainly respects the system but wants to go through with an appeal because the case has gone down the road too far.
In response to reporters questions about whether or not he would step in as a Good Samaritan again, Healy said he would have to think twice about it, but would advise others to always try to quell a similar situation if they come upon it.
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