Newark officer convicted in deadly 2019 shooting sentenced to 27 years
Authorities said Jovanny Crespo fired at two men inside a car speeding through the streets of Newark in January 2019.
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A former Newark police officer convicted in a deadly shooting in 2019 has been sentenced to 27 years in prison.
Authorities said Jovanny Crespo fired at two men inside a car speeding through the streets of Newark in January 2019. Crespo fired seven times and hit both Gregory Griffin and Andrew Dixon. Griffin later died of his injuries.
The incident was recorded on police body cameras and the footage was presented during the trial.
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The Essex County prosecutor argued that Crespo was not justified to shoot because Griffin, the driver, did not have a weapon.
Crespo claimed he saw the passenger with a gun and his lawyer argued that he had to shoot to save his own life.
Crespo was ultimately found guilty of aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault, reckless manslaughter and official misconduct.
Judge Michael Ravin called the shooting an abuse of power. He called Crespo trigger-happy and stated Crespo should’ve listened to his partner and showed restraint.
“Victims engaged in...acts of legitimate provocation are not often shot in the back of the head," Ravin stated.
Crespo had the chance to speak before the sentence was announced.
“I would like to apologize for the event….to the victims, to my family, everybody that’s been going through hard times because of this," he said.
Crepo will have to serve 85% of his sentence. He will be able to appeal.
