A Morristown NJ man is likely headed to prison after pleading guilty to criminal charges of unlawful possession of a handgun.
The charges stemmed from a shooting incident on January 31, 2014. According to Morris County NJ prosecutors, the suspect shot the victim while attempting to commit a theft on Lincoln Street in Morristown, New Jersey. It is also believed by authorities that the shooting may have involved a drug deal gone bad.
When Morristown police officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. The victim was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital, where he received medical treatment for his injuries.
The suspect, a 25-year-old man from Morristown, New Jersey, was initially charged with attempted murder in connection with the non-fatal shooting. However, the suspect was able to get the charges downgraded to illegal handgun possession after reaching a deal with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Morris County prosecutors offered the favorable plea deal to the suspect because he reportedly had a viable self-defense claim in the case.
In exchange for the suspect pleading guilty to the weapons offense charges, prosecutors are expected to recommend that he be sentenced to a term of incarceration of five years in NJ State Prison. The suspect would then become eligible for release on parole after serving 42 months behind bars.
While the suspect awaits official sentencing in Morris County Superior Court, located in Morristown NJ, he has been released from police custody. Media outlets reported that the suspect secured his temporary release because he needs to tend to his father, who is sick, and his sister, who was injured in a car accident.
For additional information about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Man Charged in Morristown Shooting Admits Possessing Gun.”
