Man Charged With Race-Based Beating Of Freehold Photographer

FREEHOLD, NJ – A Sayreville man is charged with attempted murder after he allegedly beat a freelance photographer from Freehold Township and then drove over him with his vehicle in what Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said was a race-based attack.

Jamil S. Hubbard, 25, of Sayreville, is charged with first-degree attempted murder, third-degree possession of a weapon (a motor vehicle) for an unlawful purpose and first-degree bias intimidation, in connection with the May 1 early morning attack on Jerry Wolkowitz, 55 of Freehold Township, Gramiccioni said.

The brutal assault occurred in the parking lot of Wolkowitz's home in a Harding Road apartment complex, Gramiccioni said.

Wolkowitz, a professional photographerwho also has been a freelance photojournalist for more than 30 years, was found lying in the parking lot with injuries to his head and body about 7:15 a.m. on May 1 by Freehold Township police. He was taken to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, Gramiccioni said.

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Prosecutors allege Hubbard approached Wolkowitz from behind and punched him in the head and face before dragging him into the parking lot, Gramiccioni said. Hubbard then allegedly drove his motor vehicle over Wolkowitz, then stole Wolkowitz's car, he said. That car was later discovered abandoned on Bordentown Avenue in Sayreville, Gramiccioni said.

Hubbard was arrested at his home later that same day by Sayreville police officers, Gramiccioni said, and is being held at the Monmouth County jail.

The investigation determined that the defendant did not know or have any previous contact with the victim prior to this attack, Gramiccioni said.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to keep Hubbard in jail without an opportunity for release pending trial. The detention hearing is scheduled for July 10 before Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon.

The prosecutor’s office and Freehold Township police investigated.

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