Half an hour after re-hearing testimony from two witnesses, a jury today found a Trenton man guilty in the May 2012 shooting of a police SUV.
James Ellis Grant The jury found James Ellis Grant, 25, guilty of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of an assault rifle and unlawful possession of a weapon in the May 14, 2012, shooting of the Trenton police SUV in which Officers Mike Runyon and Gene Palumbo were riding.
Neither officer was struck by the gunfire, but Palumbo has been assigned to desk duty since the incident, and said during the trial that he has had a difficult time dealing with it.
“We’re grateful for the Trenton police and the work they do. They put their life on the line every day,” Assistant Prosecutor Lew Korngut said after the verdict was read. “People don’t realize what it’s like to get shot at on the streets. It’s very traumatic.”
Prosecutors allege Grant used an M-1 carbine assault rifle with .30-caliber bullets. No gun was recovered, but witnesses said Grant told them he used the rifle and a State Police ballistics expert testified that shell casings found at the scene match those that would come from an M-1 carbine assault rifle.
This morning, the jury asked to hear a reading of the testimony of two witnesses who were incarcerated with Grant at Mercer County Correction Center. A 22-year-old man who is currently living out of state for fear of retaliation said Grant told him about how he shot at the officers and hid the rifle after.
"He put it in one of his low spots," the witness said.
A 33-year-old man who was also on the same cell block testified that Grant told him he shot at the officers and then ran.
"He said he saw them pull up and he let off at them," the witness said.
Grant’s attorney Arun Lavine declined comment, but said she would file an appeal after his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 1. Grant faces up to 60 years in prison, Lavine has said.
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