2nd Mistrial For Ex-NJ Police Chief Charged With Hate Crimes

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The second trial in the case of a former Bordentown Police Chief who was accused of violating the rights of an 18-year-old man during an arrest in 2016 has reportedly ended in a mistrial, and it’s unclear if there will be a third trial.

U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler granted a request for a mistrial in the case of Frank Nucera on Wednesday, nj.com reports. The request was granted without objection from the prosecutors when the jury was deadlocked after three days of deliberations.

Nucera was on trial on charges of hate crime assault and deprivation of civil rights under color of law.

One juror told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the jury was split over whether there was actually a push. The juror said deliberations were more respectful than during the first trial.

The push in question refers to accusations that Nucera slammed the head of an 18-year-old man who was already handcuffed and being escorted by police into a metal doorjamb, as authorities alleged. Read more here: Ex NJ Police Chief Charged With Hate Crime For Assault Against Teen

Police had been escorting the man and a 16-year-old girl from the Bordentown Ramada after the two refused to leave the hotel, according to authorities.

Nucera then told federal investigators he hadn't touched the suspects during the arrest or detention, according to authorities. Read more here: Ex NJ Police Chief Lied To Cover Up Hate Crime: Authorities

He was convicted of one count of making false statements to FBI agents who were interviewing him about the arrest. Read more here: NJ Police Chief Lied To FBI, Committed Other Alleged Crimes: Feds

Nucera was sentenced to two years, four months in prison, but wasn't scheduled to begin serving that sentence until the final two counts were resolved. Kugler presided over the first trial, as well.Read more here: Ex-South Jersey Police Chief Goes To Prison For Lying To FBI

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said no decision has been made on a possible third trial, but Nucera’s attorney told The Associated Press that the hung jury confirms that there is reasonable doubt about whether the incident even occurred at all.

Kugler presided over the first case that ended in a mistrial, as well.

Nucera served as Bordentown Police Chief and Township Administrator before he abruptly retired amid a federal investigation in 2017.

See related:
100 Hours Of Recordings Included In Case Against Ex-Police Chief
Ex-South Jersey Police Chief Faces 2nd Trial In Hate Crime Case

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