Kaheem Hunt, 30, a Paterson firefighter, has been charged with murder, conspiracy, and weapons offenses after police say he drove the getaway car during a shooting incident that left a man dead. Hunt was released with the condition he wear an ankle monitor – FREE TO GO – under NJ Bail Reform guidelines.
Under the old bail schedule, Hunt’s bail likely would have been $750,000.00. Jail is no longer a deterrent in New Jersey…
Another “validated pretrial risk assessment” Failure.
New Jersey Bail Reform, Risk Assessments, and Pretrial Services…
- ZERO Accountability
- ZERO Deterrent
- ZERO Supervision
- ZERO Bail…just a “pinky promise” to return
- Dangerous, Reckless, and a Taxpayer Burden
Firefighter charged as getaway driver in Paterson street killing; police seeking his brother
(reported by NorthJersey.com – May 15 2017)
Authorities say city firefighter Kaheem Hunt allegedly helped a possible killer escape from a street shooting two weeks ago by driving the getaway vehicle. Police are now looking for Hunt’s younger brother on murder charges.
Hunt, 30, allegedly drove to the scene of a street dispute on May 1 with two passengers in his grey Honda, Chief Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Paul DeGroot said during a hearing on Monday afternoon.
DeGroot said that after the shooting, Hunt drove away with the same two passengers, including a man who witnesses said had the gun.
During the court hearing, DeGroot said Hunt would not reveal to investigators the identities of the two men who accompanied him. The prosecutor said Hunt’s brother, Keith, has been charged with the same crimes as was his sibling – murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and weapons offenses.
The firefighter had been arrested within 48 hours of the fatal shooting of Juan Martinez, 39, on May 1. But authorities had not revealed what role they believe Hunt played in the killing until Monday’s hearing. The fact that Hunt’s brother also was charged in the crime was not made public until Monday.
The judge said Hunt’s release was based on the new guidelines established under New Jersey’s recent changes in the bail system. Under the old rules, Caposela said Hunt likely would have faced a bail of at least $750,000.
Hunt’s lawyer, Patrick Jennings, argued that his client deserved to be released. Jennings said the accused was a member of the Army National Guard who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and that he cares for his mother, Joy Hunt, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. He also said Hunt has a 4-year-old daughter.
“Judge, you cannot lead a more law-abiding life than Mr. Kaheem Hunt has lived,” said Jennings. “He has been out there, saving lives.”
After the hearing, Jennings said of Hunt, “He is innocent of the charges and looks forward to clearing his name.”
The shooting, one of Paterson’s 14 homicides this year, took place during a dispute near the corner of Madison and Essex streets in the city’s 5th Ward, according to police. Authorities have not revealed what the dispute was about.
DeGroot said in court on Monday that the initial argument was between Victor Morales and Tamika Walker.
You’ve been LIED to New Jersey…NJ Bail Reform is RECKLESS, DANGEROUS, and YOU are PAYING for it.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.