N.J. cop should be charged after video shows him repeatedly punching 14-year-old, lawyer says

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An attorney for a South Jersey family has released a video allegedly showing a police officer punching a 14-year-old after kicking down the door of his house.

The Salem City police officer entered the residence without a warrant on Oct. 22 after attempting to question the teen about a fight, then repeatedly punched the boy and threw him to the floor, according to attorney Durann Neil Jr.

Neil identified the 14-year-old and posted the video of the incident on social media, but NJ Advance Media is not revealing his name due to his age.

“He’s a 14-year-old kid, 130 pounds soaking wet. Wasn’t doing anything violent, wasn’t charged with doing anything violent. The cop just lost his cool because he could and punched him in his face multiple times,” Neil said.

The teen’s family and attorney are calling for the officer to be charged with a crime.

Salem City Police Chief John Pelura III did not respond to phone and email requests for comment. His office said he is on vacation.

Salem County Prosecutor Kristin Telsey acknowledged the video in a statement issued by her office on Monday.

“The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office has been made aware of a partial video of an arrest being shared among residents and concerned citizens and on social media,” Telsey said. “The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office has no comment at this time and does not anticipate releasing any additional information or additional video footage of the incident.”

NJ Advance Media, which has filed an Open Public Records Act request seeking police camera footage and other documents related to the incident, has not verified the name of the officer.

The incident began after the teen got into a fight at a party and was walking home with two friends, Neil said. Someone called the police about the fight and a Salem City officer in a car spotted the trio walking home and told them to stop.

“My client and his friends continued to walk in the house,” Neil said. “The officer got out the car, kicked the door down and went inside the house.”

The 102-second video taken by a cousin of the teen and viewed by NJ Advance Media showed a chaotic scene in the house as an officer appeared to try to pull the teen up from a couch while saying “stand up.”

“Get the f*** off of me,” the teen responded.

The officer then appeared to strike the teen a few times before pulling him to his feet, then throwing him to the floor as several people in the house watched.

“Why are you punching him?” one woman screamed.

The video shows at least two officers in the house. The clip, which Neil said was not edited, ends with the teen being taken from the house by officers.

The 14-year-old was charged with resisting arrest and possession of a stun gun, Neil said. The charges were not related to the party fight, but only what happened in his house, the attorney added. The 14-year-old’s two friends were not charged, Neil said.

The teen suffered bruises and swelling on his face as a result of the punches, Neil said.

The attorney said he wants to see the officer who hit the teen charged with a crime.

“These officers must be held accountable for their criminal actions,” Neil said. “There is no reason for police officers to inflict such physical, emotional and mental harm on any individual, let alone a child.”

“This brutal act committed on a 14-year-old child was unnecessary and dehumanizing and we will not rest until justice is served,” Neil added.

The attorney said he has requested police body camera footage of the incident.

Telsey, the Salem County prosecutor, said she respects the right of citizens to call attention to important issues involving law enforcement and said her office is committed to addressing those concerns.

“We take just as seriously our obligation to protect the privacy rights of citizens in their homes and to protect the privacy rights of juveniles,” the prosecutor said. “The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to take this matter seriously, but will do so with strict adherence to the privacy protections mandated by law.”

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.

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