SECAUCUS – The prosecution rested their case on Wednesday, Jan. 27 in the trial of Secaucus lawyer Todd Gorman, accused of attempting to murder his girlfriend. Gorman was expected to take the stand in his own defense.
Police responding to a domestic violence call on Sept. 29, 2011 allegedly found both Gorman and his girlfriend, Stephanie Schwartz, on the floor of their home covered in blood, with Gorman’s legs wrapped around Schwartz so that she could not move, according to nj.com. When Gorman ignored orders to release her, instead remaining “motionless, expressionless,” police knocked him out and pulled the victim away.
Gorman is claiming that Schwartz was attempting suicide and then attacked him when he tried to stop her. During opening remarks, Gorman’s attorney claimed that both Gorman and Schwartz were functioning alcoholics who suffered from depression and met in a suicide chat room on the Internet, according to the article.
Schwartz killed herself less than a year after the incident.
The defense has stated that Schwartz was violent and attacked Gorman several times in the past, including breaking two of his ribs, and suggested he was holding her tight to prevent her from hurting either herself or him. Gorman claims to have no recollection of the incident.
Witnesses in the trial include Secaucus police officers and nurses who treated both Gorman and Schwartz for their wounds after the incident. Gorman turned down a deal under which he would have pleaded guilty to third-degree aggravated assault and would likely have been sentenced to probation only, with no jail time. However, if he pleaded guilty, Gorman would lose his license to practice law.
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