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TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Shirley K. Turner which increases the penalties associated with witness intimidation and tampering in order to help law enforcement encourage more witnesses to step forward and testify during criminal court trials has been signed into law by Governor Jon Corzine.

“Every day, crimes are committed, and because of fear, witnesses choose to look the other way,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “Just the other day I saw a clip on the news of a man being beaten on the subway by a hammer-wielding attacker, and no one came to the victim’s aide. Surveillance video from the train and tips from witnesses later helped police to apprehend the assailant. Legislation like this will help to bring these vicious criminals to justice, and see them placed behind bars where they should be.”

“Years ago, community residents took care of one another, and if their neighbor was harmed they would go to police to ensure that those responsible were held accountable,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “More recently, neighbors have been increasingly hesitant to come forward with information. Street campaigns like ‘Stop Snitching’ use fear and intimidation as tools to silence witnesses. We have to stand with witnesses and let them know that their testimony is useful, and that the law will protect them and their families should they choose to testify.”

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner welcomed final legislative approval of her measure, S-367/503, which would increase the penalties associated with witness intimidation and tampering in order to help law enforcement encourage more witnesses to come forward and testify during criminal court trials.

“This is a growing problem across the State, but in Trenton, the effects of gang intimidation and witness tampering have been particularly painful,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “Already we have faced two barbaric murders this year as gangs become bolder and bolder in how they take revenge on those who testify in court. People shouldn’t live in fear of being targeted because they’ve decided to step forward and help the police.”

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner welcomed the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s approval of her bill, S-367/503, which would increase the penalties associated with witness intimidation and tampering in order to help law enforcement encourage more witnesses to come forward and testify during criminal court trials.

“Trenton has already faced at least two cases this year where witness intimidation and tampering has escalated to murder,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “The message gangs are sending is that if you go to the police, you or someone you love will die. There is a blanket of fear covering our communities, making it near impossible to go after criminal gangs.”

TRENTON – Witness tampering or intimidation would carry a stiffer penalty under a measure sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Shirley K. Turner approved today by the Senate.

“In far too many cases, witness intimidation is preventing prosecutors from making a convincing argument and putting the criminal behind bars,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “We won’t be able to reverse this trend until witnesses feel safe from harm and are confident that the criminals they testify against won’t seek retribution.”

TRENTON – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Shirley K. Turner that would increase the penalties associated with witness intimidation and tampering in order to help law enforcement encourage more witnesses to come forward and testify during criminal court trials.

“Witness intimidation is getting so bad that many times, prosecutors will not pursue a criminal case unless there are multiple witnesses to the crime,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “Many witnesses fear for their lives, especially when gang members are the accused individuals. We need to reverse this trend so that prosecutors can put more violent criminals behind bars.”

TRENTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would increase the penalties associated with witness intimidation and tampering in order to help law enforcement encourage more witnesses to come forward and testify during criminal court trials.

“One of the biggest problem we have when trying to combat criminal street gangs is getting witnesses to testify in court,” explained Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “These gangs have our neighborhoods paralyzed by the fear of retribution towards anyone who ‘snitches.’ We need to strike back and let witnesses know that the law will protect them and their families.”