An 80-year-old man, Chung Ho, who admitted to fatally shooting New Jersey Police Officer David Douglass in 1995, has been granted parole, sparking outrage and disbelief among law enforcement and legal experts.
David Gelman, a criminal defense attorney, expressed his shock at the decision, calling it a 'slap in the face' to Officer Douglass' memory and his family. Ho, who pleaded guilty to murder, aggravated arson, and burglary charges, will be released in September 2024.
The parole decision, made by a group of 12 individuals, is considered rare in New Jersey, where parole for murderers is seldom granted, especially on the first attempt. Gelman criticized the state's justice system, citing a trend of leniency in granting parole and attributing it to rising crime rates in the state.
Officer Douglass was killed in the line of duty in 1994 while responding to a suspected burglary. Ho, who engaged in a confrontation with Douglass and shot him, was sentenced to 30 years to life in 1995. The Lower Township Police Department marked the 30th anniversary of Douglass' death in 2024, emphasizing the officer's sacrifice and legacy.
Despite concerns raised by legal experts and law enforcement officials, Ho's impending release has reignited debates about the effectiveness and fairness of New Jersey's criminal justice system.
