Judge Tosses Negligence Suit Against Wayne Officer In Slaying Case

WAYNE, NJ — A court dismissed a complaint against a Wayne police officer, who was accused of negligence and not "taking adequate precautions" when he responded to a civil disturbance in 2021.

The lawsuit, filed by Donna Majuri, the sister of Frank Majuri, 60, who was strangled to death in his Passaic County home in November 2021, sued Patrolman William Hall and the township Police Department in state Superior Court in Paterson.

According to authorities, Majuri was found unresponsive just before midnight on Nov. 5, 2021, inside an apartment at 21 Hinchman Avenue. Police were dispatched to the home twice that night after initially receiving a report of a domestic dispute between two residents.

During the first call, police de-escalated the situation, authorities said. When they returned, they found Majuri unresponsive. He died at the scene, police said.

• RELATED: Wayne Man Charged With Murder After Strangling Roommate: PCPO

Majuri's roommate, Frank Rance, was charged with first-degree murder in connection to Majuri's death.

In the lawsuit, Donna alleged that Hall should have recognized Rance’s violent tendencies in a 911 response to the apartment on the same day as the murder.

However, Judge Vicki Citrino handed down an order on Jan. 19 calling for a dismissal of the lawsuit in its entirety and with prejudice, meaning the Majuri family will not be able to refile its claims.

According to court documents, the dismissal stems from a failure to "state a claim upon which relief can be granted."

In the lawsuit, Donna said that both her brother and Rance had mental health issues. Donna claimed Rance killed her brother after he became paranoid and accused the other man of ripping up his social security check.

According to court documents, Hall tried to resolve the disagreement before leaving the apartment. However, 50 minutes later, he was dispatched there again on a report of a "male who was not breathing and without a pulse."

The lawsuit accused Wayne police officers of failing to call for additional help.

Rance, who was taken into custody at the scene and charged with first-degree murder, may face 30 years to life in prison if convicted.