NJ Supreme Court Weighing Release Of Convicted Cop Killer

NEW JERSEY — This week, the New Jersey Supreme Court heard arguments to release Sundiata Acoli from jail, NJ.com reported.

Acoli is currently serving a life sentence for killing a state Trooper on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1973.

Now 85 years old and suffering from health complications, Acoli has asked the state to release him from his life sentence on the grounds of compassionate release. His request to be let out of prison early has received support from this clergyman, a Bergen County Record newspaper columnist and also the National Coalition on Police Accountability, a group of African-American members of law enforcement.

Those who support his release say he has been a model prisoner and has served 85 percent of his sentence. They also say he has dementia.

But state Senator Anthony Bucco, a Republican who represents Morris County, said he wants to see him remain behind bars.

“The moral argument begins and ends when Acoli heartlessly and needlessly executed an already seriously injured Trooper with a shot to the head,” said Bucco this week. “This cold blooded killer deserves no more compassion than he showed for Trooper Foerster.”

Along with Joanne Chesimard, Acoli was a member of the Black Liberation Army (BLA), a Black Power group in the 1970s.

Both Acoli and Chesimard were convicted of first-degree murder of Trooper Werner Foerster in a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike near Rutgers University on May 2, 1973.

On that day, driver Acoli, accompanied by Chesimard (who had taken the name Assata Shakur) and Zayd Malik Shakur were driving on the Turnpike in the East Brunswick area. All three were “soldiers” of the Black Liberation Army.

They were heavily armed when they were pulled over for speeding by Trooper James Harper, who was soon joined for backed up by Trooper Foerster.

Police at the time said Foerster removed a semi-automatic handgun from the vehicle and that's when the shooting started, with Chesimard firing the first shots and wounding Harper, and Acoli striking Foerster in the torso.

Foerster took several more rounds to the chest before Acoli then took Foerster's weapon shot him twice in the head.

All three BLA members were also struck, and Zayd Malik Shakur died at the scene.

Acoli received a sentence of life in prison. Chesimard was also convicted of first-degree murder in Trooper Foerster's death. She was serving at the state women's prison in Clinton, but broke out in 1979 with the help of other BLA members. She eventually fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum by Fidel Castro. There is a $2 million reward to bring her back to the United States and she is one of the FBI's most wanted.

“It is ridiculous to even consider letting this man out early. Actions have consequences," said Bucco. “When you kill a police officer you should not expect to be back on the streets, regardless of age.”