Man accused of stabbing Camden, New Jersey police officer will stay in jail, judge rules
A man accused of stabbing a Camden County, New Jersey police officer will stay in jail through future court proceedings, a judge ruled Friday.
Richard Dennis, 38, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, a weapons charge and other offenses after police said he stabbed Camden County police officer Joshua McKnight on Sunday, Feb. 23.
Officials said McKnight had stopped at Duran Grocery at Broadway and Chestnut streets when Dennis came up from behind and stabbed the officer.
McKnight's supervisor heard the commotion over police radio and officers and medics quickly responded to the scene, taking the 23-year-old Marine veteran to Cooper Medical Center.
McKnight was in critical condition after the stabbing but is now home from the hospital. His recovery will be a long process.
About 50 uniformed Camden County police officers attended Dennis' detention hearing Friday. The hearing is where judges rule if a defendant can be released and expected to appear at their next scheduled court appearance. Judges assess a defendant's risk to the community, possible flight risk and prior history of failures to appear before making the decision.
In the hearing, prosecutors argued Dennis was a danger to the community, pointing to circumstances of the attack — that it happened while McKnight's back was turned and severed the officer's carotid artery.
Defense attorneys said Dennis has been homeless and was struggling with mental health issues. They asked for him to be released on certain conditions, but the judge did not agree.
McKnight's mother and sister were in the courtroom for the proceeding. They said they were thankful for the community's love and support.
And Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay said McKnight is still alive because of multiple miracles.
"This is nothing short of a series of miracles that happen every day," MacAulay said. "The immediate reaction of the officer to alert his body cam alarm; for sergeants to have been so close by, to immediately rush him to Cooper; the fact that Cooper is so close by, and the fact that literally the surgeons at Cooper are the hands of God. Miracle after miracle after miracle, and we're so grateful for all of it."
