Hate Crime Retrial Begins for Former New Jersey Officer Frank Nucera Jr.

By Tadi Abedje Published: November 15, 2021

Hate Crime Retrial Begins for Former New Jersey Officer Frank Nucera Jr.

Frank Nucera, left, stands with his attorney Rocco Cipparone, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at the U.S. District Court in Camden, New Jersey after a judge declares a mistrial on two of the counts against him in the federal hate crime case. Authorities alleged Nucera smashed the 18-year-old's head into a doorjamb while he was being escorted by two officers from a hotel in 2016. They said the assault was driven by racial hatred. Nucera, 62, has denied committing the assault. (George Woolston/Burlington County Times via AP)

In Summary

The former Bordentown Township police chief is accused of slamming the head of a Black teenager named Timothy Stroye while in custody.

On Nov. 12 the hate crime retrial of former New Jersey police officer Frank Nucera Jr. began. A majority white jury heard the government’s hate crime case against the former Bordentown Township police chief, who is accused of slamming the head of Timothy Stroye, a Black teenager in custody, into a metal door jamb in 2016, according to WHYY.

Prosecutors alerted jurors they would hear derogatory comments made by Nucera as he was charged with a hate crime.

This is a new trial because a jury declared a mistrial on similar charges on Oct. 11, 2019.

Assistant U.S. attorney Molly Lorber said to the jury, “The defendant’s own words is the best evidence we have.”

Lorber added that the ex-Bordentown Township police chief had a huge hatred towards African Americans. It would lead to a disturbing incident at a Ramada Inn hotel on Sept. 1, 2016.

A manager called the police to the hotel and said Stroye and his girlfriend were swimming in the pool without paying for a room, according to WHYY. Police arrested the then 18-year-old and led him out of the hotel. While that was taking place, Nucera allegedly slammed his head against a metal door jamb.

Lorber believes Nucera violated his oath as an officer and the Constitution, according to WHYY. She also highlighted the fact there were officers who did not do anything while the incident took place out of fear of retaliation.

According to The Trentonian, Stroye passed away of an apparent overdose in January of this year.

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