Prosecutors charge Long Branch man who shot a man during attempted robbery
A Long Branch man named as the suspect in an April shooting during an attempted robbery has been charged in connection to the incident, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.
18-year old Azeem Jackson allegedly shot the victim who later survived a gunshot wound to the chest.
Jackson was charged Tuesday for the April 16 shooting with first degree Attempted Murder, first degree Robbery, second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Long Branch Police began after officers were dispatched to the scene on the night of the incident of a report of a gunshot victim at the corner of Matilda and Second streets.
The victim was taken to Jersey Shore Medical University Hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to the chest.
Detectives were able to identify Jackson over the course of the investigation as the individual who shot the victim during the robbery attempt.
If convicted of Attempted Murder, Jackson faces 20 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole, subject to the provisions of the "No Early Release Act" (NERA) requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole.
He would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison.
If convicted of Robbery, Jackson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, which is also subject to NERA.
If convicted of the second degree weapons offenses, Jackson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in a New Jersey state prison on each count, subject to the provisions of the Graves Act, which carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of one half of the custodial sentence imposed, or 42 months, whichever is greater.
Jackson remains in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on separate charges not pertaining to this incident.
He's scheduled for a detention hearing at 9:00 a.m. on August 13 in front of Monmouth County Superior Court Judge James J. McGann.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Martha Nye.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
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