Deliberations to resume Wednesday in trial of Newark Police Officer Jovanny Crespo
NEWARK, N.J. -- Deliberations will resume Wednesday in the trial of Newark Police Officer Jovanny Crespo.
Crespo is accused of shooting two men, one fatally, during a chase in January 2019.
He has been suspended from the department and charged with aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault and misconduct.
Authorities say Gregory Griffin was pulled over for speeding, and officers noted he had a gun. Griffin then fled the initial traffic stop, leading police on a high-speed chase.
Crespo responded as backup. He was seen on body-camera video firing his gun at the suspect's car at three different locations.
Griffin was shot and killed, and his passenger, Andrew Dixon, was injured.
- Related Story: Jury deliberations set to begin in trial of suspended Newark Police Officer Jovanny Crespo for deadly shooting during chase
Last week, the prosecution and defense made their closing arguments to the jury.
"This law enforcement officer saved lives that night, end of story," defense attorney Patrick Toscano said.
"The defendant's version of events does not justify his use of deadly force, and that is why he has to continue to add to and change his story as he goes," said Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Alex Albu.
Prosecutors say in Crespo's police report he wrote he never described the danger as imminent, just that the vehicle posed a threat by moving at a high rate of speed.
During the trial, Crespo took the stand in his own defense, claiming a gun was pointed at him.
If convicted of all counts, he could face life in prison.
So far, two jurors have been replaced with alternates since Friday due to a pre-planned vacation and another for health-related issues.
