Jury selection will begin on June 5, 2018, in the upcoming trial of two Cumberland County men in connection to a shooting that occurred on September 3, 2016, in Atlantic City that resulted in the death of one man, and the shooting of an Atlantic City Police Officer, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.
Officials said Martel D. Chisolm, 31, of Millville and Demetris Cross, 30, of Bridgeton are charged with:
* 2 counts of Attempted Murder (of the two police officers)—a crime of the 1st degree,
* 3 counts of Robbery—a 1st degree crime,
* 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery—1st degree,
* 2 counts of Possession of a Weapon (Firearm) for an Unlawful Purpose—2nd degree, and
* 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose—a 2nd degree crime.
The potential penalty for a conviction of a 1st degree crime is 10-20 years of incarceration in New Jersey State Prison.
The potential penalty for a conviction of a 2nd degree crime is 5-10 years in prison.
According to authorities, the investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and assisting agencies revealed that on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 2:34 a.m., two uniformed Atlantic City police officers on patrol observed an alleged robbery in progress being committed near the Caesars Atlantic City parking garage on Arkansas Avenue.
Officials said the officers observed a group of 6 males. As one Atlantic City police officer exited the vehicle he was shot and injured. The second police officer returned fire, hitting one suspect, who fled the scene. All other persons involved in the robbery also fled the scene in different directions. The suspect, identified as Jerome Damon, 25, of Camden, who had been shot was located approximately 1½ blocks away, on Missouri and Pacific Avenues, collapsed and deceased.
The investigation revealed that 3 of the men had been victims of an alleged armed robbery committed by the other three men: Damon, Chisolm and Cross.
New Jersey State Police arrested Chisholm and Cross Millville and the men remain in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (609) 909-7666, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-658-TIPS (8477), the anonymous (confidential) tip line 652-1234, or text TIPCOP plus your tip to 274637.
These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.