Newark police officer indicted after deadly wild chase

NEW JERSEY (FOX 5 NY) - A police officer in New Jersey's largest city has been indicted following a wild chase in which he repeatedly got out of his patrol car and opened fire, leaving one man dead and another wounded.

A grand jury on Tuesday charged Newark Police Officer Jovanny Crespo with aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault, official misconduct and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Body cam video captured the chaotic chase on Jan. 28 when another officer radioed she was pursuing a vehicle and she had seen a gun.

According to the prosecutor, on Monday, Jan. 28, at approximately 11:20 p.m. Crespo shot Gregory Griffin, 46, and Andrew J. Dixon, 35, both of Newark, when the car driven by Griffin fled during a traffic stop. Both were shot in the head. Dixon sustained serious injuries. Griffin died from his injuries at University Hospital the next day, Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Crespo had fired shots at the fleeing car at three separate locations. The vehicle finally stopped in the area of 54 Irvine Turner Boulevard, near Kinney Street. 

No police officers were injured. No other police officers discharged their weapons.

Crespo is held pending a detention hearing that could be held on Wednesday or Thursday.

The police union is supporting the officer but Mayor Ras Baraka says the indictment was justified.

"The indictment of Newark Police Officer Jovanny Crespo is a sad day for our city and our police department, and the families of the two victims," Baraka added.

If convicted on all counts, Crespo faces life in prison.

With the Associated Press