Ex-NJ Police Chief Will Not Face 3rd Trial For Hate Crime Charges

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Former Bordentown Police Chief Frank Nucera will not face a third trial on accusations that he violated the rights of an 18-year-old man during an arrest in 2016, federal authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

“We are not retrying the case,” a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office told Patch via email. “The remaining charges will be dismissed.”

Those charges include hate crime assault and deprivation of civil rights under color of law. The decision comes after two mistrials in the case. Read more here: 2nd Mistrial For Ex-NJ Police Chief Charged With Hate Crimes

Nucera's attorney told nj.com he was "relieved" by the ruling, and said Nucera always had confidence he didn't commit a hate crime.

Nucera still faces two years, four months in prison, after he was convicted 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

He could be headed to prison in the next 30 days, unless his lawyer seeks a delay pending an appeal, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He had been facing another 10 years in prison on the hate crime charges. U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler presided over both trials, and granted a request for a second mistrial earlier this month. At the time, Nucera’s attorney said the second mistrial indicated there was reasonable doubt about whether the incident even occurred at all.

Nucera was accused of slamming the head of an 18-year-old man who was already handcuffed and being escorted by police into a metal doorjamb. 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

A juror in the second trial previously told The Philadelphia Inquirer that there was some question as to whether there was a push at all.

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