By: Richard L. Smith
Ralph Bouzy, 25, of Linden, has been convicted on multiple felony charges by a Union County jury.
The announcement was made by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Linden Police Chief David Hart, marking the conclusion of a case that has captivated the local community since 2022.
Following a week-long trial presided over by Union County Superior Court Judge Daniel Roberts, the jury, after three days of deliberation, found Bouzy guilty of all charges leveled against him.
The charges include 2nd degree of Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, 2nd degree of Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, 3rd degree of Terroristic Threats, and 4th degree of Aggravated Assault.
This verdict brings closure to an alarming incident that unfolded in Linden over two years ago.
The case against Bouzy stemmed from a violent confrontation on January 24, 2022, on the 1000 block of Chandler Avenue in Linden.
According to Assistant Prosecutors Marilyn J. Muller and Peter J. Arre, who led the prosecution, the incident began when Bouzy, after knocking on the front door of the victim's apartment, escalated the situation by pointing a loaded handgun at the victim's face.
During the ensuing struggle, the magazine of the gun, which was loaded with ten bullets, was dislodged.
Despite Bouzy's attempt to reload the weapon with the detached magazine, the quick-thinking victim managed to secure the magazine and throw it out of Bouzy's reach, effectively disarming him.
Bouzy then fled the scene, leaving behind the rest of the firearm.