Three teens to be charged as adults in May beating
Prosecutor Ed DeFazio said that of the dozen people arrested in connection with the May beating that left Dawid Strucinski in a coma, three will be charged as adults, pending a grand jury determination some time after the beginning of the New Year.
I-True U. Gaffney, John McShea (both 16 years old), and Jerome Hilton, 17, all of Bayonne, appeared before Central Judicial Processing Court in Jersey City on Oct. 28 when bail for each was set at $50,000 – with a 10 percent cash option. They face charges related to their alleged role in the beating of Strucinski last May. The most serious charge is second degree aggravated assault, which comes with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, 85 percent of which must be served before they are eligible for parole.
DeFazio said a grand jury will determine if the three boys will be charged as adults, and he said their ages of 16 and 17 are a determining factor.
“Most of the others were 14 and 15,” he said. “The case will be presented to a grand jury to decide if there is probable cause. If so, they will be indicted and will face trial in superior court.”
Derrick Hilton, 18, Jerome’s brother, also faces charges in connection with the beating, as do five other juveniles – two girls and three boys.
Strucinski apparently attempted to break up a dispute between two groups of people near 14th Street and Broadway, and became the victim of an attack that left him in a coma for almost two months. He was recently released from the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange for therapy after regaining his speech and the ability to walk.
He has been walking on his own and speaking, two things he apparently struggled with after waking up from the coma during the summer.
“He’s been up and around for about two weeks,” said Elizabeth Vosk, a friend of the family.
Friends of Strucinski held several fundraisers to help defray the medical costs, and Vosk said there will likely be addition fundraisers in the future since insurance will not cover all of the costs associated with Strucinski’s recovery.
Missing 9-year-old found
A nine-year-old boy from Woodrow Wilson School went missing for two and half hours after he allegedly told a substitute teacher that he was allowed to walk home on his own.
According to a release issued by the Bayonne School District, on Oct. 25, a third grade student at Woodrow Wilson School reported to his teacher that he would not be following his regular routine of walking home with his grandmother and would walk home by himself. At dismissal time, the child was allowed to leave alone.
“His grandmother arrived at the school and reported to the principal that her grandson could not be found. The principal spoke to the teacher, who reported that the child had walked home,” the release said. “Woodrow Wilson School Principal Charles Costello immediately phoned the Bayonne Police Department and the Central Office Administration. Robert Craig, assistant superintendent of schools, left the Central Office and reported to Woodrow Wilson School.”
The city activated its missing child alert system, which notifies city workers – including the Fire Department.
Storm generated more than 215 calls
On Oct. 29, the Bayonne Fire Department responded to more than 215 emergency calls. The bulk of storm related emergency activity involved 114 incidents of tree limbs down, and 82 incidents of wires down. Firefighters maintained a frantic pace of emergency runs primarily attributed to the hazards of heavy, wet snow accumulating on tree limbs and wires. The largest concentration of calls occurred between noon and midnight.
“This was a highly unusual snowstorm arriving before the start of the season, when leaves are still on the trees,” said Fire Chief Greg Rogers. “Heavy, wet snow clung to the branches and leaves, and caused a large number of trees to radically hunch over. Many large, over-weighted branches pulled down utility wires, and hundreds of broken branches were found all around the city. All Fire Department apparatuses were responding almost constantly throughout the 12 hour period, and I commend the firefighters for doing an outstanding job of handling the unprecedented number of simultaneous calls.”
Some notable events:
Two helicopters reportedly encountered difficult weather conditions and made precautionary landings at a clearing in Mercer Park (63rd Street and Kennedy Boulevard) at about 12:45 p.m. Both helicopters took-off without incident.
Multiple tree limbs and multiple utility wires were down across Garretson Avenue (between Fourth and Fifth streets) at about 3:50 p.m. Electrical service risers were pulled away from two homes requiring a street closure. One firefighter injured his elbow on a tree branch while attempting to remove the hazard.
Multiple tree limbs and multiple utility wires were down across roadways in the area of 139 West 57th St. at about 3 p.m. An electrical service riser was pulled away from one home. Street closure was required.
Election Day closings
Most civilian offices at City Hall in Bayonne will be closed for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The City Clerk’s Office will be open for purposes of election administration. The Bayonne Municipal Court will be closed. Regular garbage and recycling pick-ups will take place. The Public Library will be open. The Constable Hook Recycling Drop-Off Site will be closed.
Street-sweeping and alternate side of the street parking will be suspended. Parking meters and residential permit parking regulations will not be enforced.
Any municipal offices and services closed or suspended on Tuesday will be back in operation on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Mayor Mark A. Smith’s Tuesday evening office hours will be suspended on Tuesday, Nov. 8, for Election Day, and again on Tuesday, Nov. 15, for the conference of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. His Tuesday evening office hours will resume on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 5:30 p.m.
Veterans Day closings
Civilian offices at City Hall in Bayonne will be closed for Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
Bayonne Municipal Court will be closed. Regular garbage and recycling pick-ups will take place. The Public Library and the Constable Hook Recycling Center will be closed.
Street-sweeping and alternate side of the street parking will be suspended. Parking meters and residential permit parking regulations will not be enforced.
The annual Veterans’ Day ceremony will take place at City Hall in the Dorothy Harrington Council Chambers at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11. Veterans’ organizations and public officials will participate.