TRENTON, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability have announced that Paterson police officer Jerry Moravek, 40, has been indicted on charges of aggravated assault and official misconduct. This indictment follows an incident in June 2022, where Moravek allegedly shot a fleeing man in the back, resulting in the victim’s paralysis.
The charges, including second-degree aggravated assault and official misconduct, were filed by a state grand jury on December 6, 2023. It’s important to note that these charges are accusations, and Moravek is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Attorney General Platkin emphasized that while police officers often exercise sound judgment, the use of deadly force must be reserved for situations of imminent danger. In this case, the grand jury found that Moravek’s decision to use deadly force was not justified, as the victim was fleeing and did not pose an immediate threat.
Thomas Eicher, Executive Director of OPIA, added that the use of deadly force by police should only be a last resort. The indictment alleges that the victim was shot while running away, without posing a threat to the officer or bystanders.
According to court statements and filings, on June 11, 2022, Moravek, while on duty, engaged in a foot chase and shot the victim in the back as he ran away on John Street in Paterson. Body-worn camera footage did not show the victim with a firearm, and no gun was found in his possession at the time of the shooting, although a discarded firearm was later found along the victim’s path.
The victim, left with bullet fragments in his spine, is now unable to walk. This case highlights the critical importance of adhering to the Attorney General’s Guidelines on Use of Force and standard operating procedures, which stipulate that deadly force can only be used in circumstances where immediate danger is present. The indictment brings attention to the ongoing discussions about the use of force in law enforcement.
