Attorney doesn't want cops in shooting death to talk

BRIDGETON – The lawyer representing two city police officers involved in the shooting death of a man last year has asked a federal court to keep her clients from making statements in a civil suit until the criminal investigation is wrapped up.

In a letter issued Wednesday, Deborah B. Rosenthal — the attorney for officers Braheme L. Days and Roger W. Worley, who were involved in the shooting death of Jerame C. Reid during a Dec. 30 traffic stop — filed a motion keeping the two officers from giving depositions in court until the state Attorney General's Office concludes their investigation into the matter.

Rosenthal said the officers could still face state or federal criminal charges.

"After the New Jersey Attorney General's Office completes its review, it is my understanding that a determination will be made whether to present the matter to a grand jury for potential criminal indictments against these two officers," Rosenthal wrote.

The attorney said she's been advised the U.S. Attorney General's Office could pursue an investigation and possibly charge Days and Worley once the state investigation is complete.

Rosenthal also represents the City of Bridgeton, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae and former city police Chief Mark W. Ott, who along with Days and Worley are being sued by Reid's wife Lawanda M. Reid.

The widow is represented by Philadelphia attorney Conrad J. Benedetto.

Reid filed a wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court in March asking for $1 million in damages from each of the defendants.

In asking the judge to bar her clients from speaking, Rosenthal wrote, "In light of the potential that criminal charges may still be issued against my clients ... I have requested that plaintiff's counsel hold off with their depositions until all law enforcement agencies have completed their investigations."

She continued, "Plaintiff's attorney will not consent to this request, and has instead indicated that he would only consent to a six-month stay or until the investigations are completed, whichever is first."

The New Jersey State Attorney General's Office took over the investigation after the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office concluded its own review, Rosenthal wrote.

Reid, 36, was shot and killed by Days and Worley on Dec. 30 during a traffic stop near the intersection of South Avenue and Henry Street. Officers said Reid, a Seabrook resident with a criminal record dating to his teen years, was reaching for a handgun in the car's glove compartment.

The incident was captured on the police cruiser's dash camera, which showed Days yelling, "He's reaching, he's reaching," before police fired their service weapons at him.

Neither officer has commented publicly on what happened.

Daniel J. Kov; (856) 563-5262; dkov@thedailyjournal.com