Bridgewater Hires Former Prosecutor To Help With Police Mall Incident

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater hired former Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson to help the township deal with the outcome of an investigation into the viral teen mall video that raised questions of racial disparity.

The council unanimously voted to award a contract to Robertson during the April 4 meeting for a period of one year with a cost likely exceeding $17,500 and no more than $25,000. (See the full resolution below)

The scope of service includes three main issues for Robertson to assist with:

1. to assist the Township in interacting with the Office of the Somerset County Prosecutor, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, and any other government entity reviewing the incident of February 12, 2022
2. to assist the Township with any internal disciplinary proceedings insofar as same are required
3. to assist the Township in assessing any prospective measures deemed necessary or prudent related to the foregoing

Robertson of the law firm of O'Toole Scrivo LLC previously served as Somerset County Prosecutor from February 2016 until January 2022.

As of Monday, the township council said it had not received the results of an internal affairs investigation being conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office which is following the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Directive.

A video began circulating following a fight between a light-skinned teen and a Black teen at the Bridgewater Commons mall on Feb. 12. The video also shows township police officers kneeling on and handcuffing the Black teen while the light-skinned teen is left sitting on a couch. Read More: Cops Criticized After Stopping Teen Fight At Bridgewater Mall

The two officers involved in the incident are "currently not on the road," said Bridgewater Police Chief Paul Payne on March 3.

Since then Murphy has said he was "deeply disturbed" by the video and the New Jersey chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization, is now calling for the Bridgewater officers involved to be immediately removed from the police force pending an investigation.

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is helping Bridgewater with the investigation as they strictly adhere to the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Directive. The SCPO has 45 days to complete the investigation. Read More: Murphy 'Disturbed' By Bridgewater Cops' Handling Of Mall Fight

Several marches by activists have since been held calling for justice for Z'Kye Husain.

Nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has handled cases involving George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor, has been retained by the family of the Black 8th grader handcuffed by Bridgewater Township Police following a mall fight. Read More: George Floyd Family Attorney Hired By Black Teen In NJ Mall Fight

Crump and Husain's family also held a press conference at the township. Crump said his group is contemplating filing a federal civil rights lawsuit based on "his fourth amendment rights being infringed upon based on unreasonable search and seizure. And obviously equal protection." Read More: Black Activists Halt Rally For Teen Cuffed At Bridgewater Mall

On March 3, Bridgewater held a Community Conversation with community officials and leaders to hear from the public about the incident. Read More: Bridgewater To Turn Viral Mall Video Into Racial Justice Lesson

22-04-04-106 by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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