Post by Critique on Jan 4, 2007 17:30:48 GMT -5
2006-12-30
EASTON, NEW JERSEY - A retired city police officer accused of assaulting his girlfriend inside their Stockertown home earlier this year is negotiating a plea agreement with the Northampton County District Attorney's Office.
Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline M. Tashner said Thursday she and Jack R. Celia Sr.'s defense attorney are in talks but nothing has been decided.
She said he won't receive preferential treatment because of his longtime role as a law enforcement officer and that any proposed plea deal will be comparable to those pitched for other defendants facing similar charges.
Celia, who appeared Thursday for a formal arraignment before Judge Edward G. Smith, is charged with reckless endangerment, simple assault and harassment.
The 52-year-old allegedly pushed girlfriend Shannon M. Vanderbilt down six stairs Sept. 20 during an argument in their home in the 400 block of Main Street.
Vanderbilt told police she was following Celia up a flight of stairs when he turned suddenly and pushed her right shoulder.
She suffered pain and bruising on both the right side of her back and left ankle, court records say. Her ankle hurt so badly she couldn't put weight on it, Vanderbilt told police.
She received treatment from an EMS squad for her injuries, but she didn't require hospitalization.
Celia, who retired in July after more than 27 years with the Easton police force, is free on $5,000 unsecured bail.
EASTON, NEW JERSEY - A retired city police officer accused of assaulting his girlfriend inside their Stockertown home earlier this year is negotiating a plea agreement with the Northampton County District Attorney's Office.
Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline M. Tashner said Thursday she and Jack R. Celia Sr.'s defense attorney are in talks but nothing has been decided.
She said he won't receive preferential treatment because of his longtime role as a law enforcement officer and that any proposed plea deal will be comparable to those pitched for other defendants facing similar charges.
Celia, who appeared Thursday for a formal arraignment before Judge Edward G. Smith, is charged with reckless endangerment, simple assault and harassment.
The 52-year-old allegedly pushed girlfriend Shannon M. Vanderbilt down six stairs Sept. 20 during an argument in their home in the 400 block of Main Street.
Vanderbilt told police she was following Celia up a flight of stairs when he turned suddenly and pushed her right shoulder.
She suffered pain and bruising on both the right side of her back and left ankle, court records say. Her ankle hurt so badly she couldn't put weight on it, Vanderbilt told police.
She received treatment from an EMS squad for her injuries, but she didn't require hospitalization.
Celia, who retired in July after more than 27 years with the Easton police force, is free on $5,000 unsecured bail.