Simulated Car Crash at Morris Hills High School
June 6, 2008: The Morris County Prosecutor's Office, in conjunction with Morris Hills High School, Rockaway Borough Police Department, Rockaway Township Police Department, Wharton Borough Police Department, Rockaway Borough Fire Department, St. Clare's Emergency Medical Services simulated a mock car crash at the Morris Hills High School. The cooperative program was designed to educate students about the perils of drinking and driving and to promote safety on the roads.
Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi stated "The timing of this program was designed around the prom, graduation and summer vacation. The all day event included programs in which students wrote their own obituaries, participated in the mock crash scene as well as other presentations informing new drivers of the risks involved with speeding and aggressive driving.
It is important for us to continue promoting these types of events in order to educate our youth and to proactively interdict before they get into trouble. I want to get to these students now, before they get to my office or the Medical Examiner later.
This program is part of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office proactive community outreach with our other community partners. Nothing is worse than being responsible for making a death notification. I am hopeful that our cooperative message was heard loud and clear. If it was heard by one it is worth the effort."
Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio
Investigation & Arrest in Connection with Shooting in Morristown
June 6, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq, Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella, Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford, and Morristown Chief of Police Peter Demnitz announce the investigation and arrest in connection with a shooting which took place in the early morning hours of May 29, 2008 in the area of Maple Avenue in Morristown. Danielle "Dee" Jones, age 20, of Newark, was arrested and charged with:
One count of First Degree Attempted Murder
One count of Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
One count of Second Degree Possession of a Weapon Without a Permit
An investigation revealed that in the early morning hours of May 29, 2008, the defendant allegedly fired several shots at the victim while he was entering a Maple Avenue residence. The defendant then allegedly pulled the weapon from the waistband of her pants and pointed the weapon directly into the victim's stomach and fired the weapon. The victim pushed her away and the defendant then allegedly fired several more shots as he entered the premises.
The defendant was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. Bail was set by the Honorable Salem Vincent Ahto at $500,000.00 no 10% option.
Prosecutor Bianchi stated "I am extremely impressed and grateful to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office detectives and Morristown Police Department detectives who worked cooperatively since the day of this incident to follow all investigative leads, interviews of numerous witnesses, and collect evidence that led to the successful arrest of this defendant. It is expressive of our commitment to ensure that crimes of violence are aggressively pursued and prosecuted."
The matter is currently being investigated by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Morris County Sheriff's Department and the Morristown Police Department.
If anyone has any further information they are encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Morristown Police Department at 973-538-2200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStoppers Program at 973-COP-CALL (973-267-2255).
Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.
Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio