Daily Archives: April 19, 2009
It goes from bad to worse for man facing charges in alleged assault on police
What started out as a domestic violence charge, ended in numerous charges that could land Michael Colombo in prison for quite some time. Colombo, of Hoboken was just going to be charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of burglary, and one count of simple assault in an alleged attack on a woman in Teaneck. However, when police attempted to arrest him, they allege that he lunged at them, punching and kicking two officers, as well as striking one in the head with a metal skillet, then biting him in the arm followed by an attempt to take his gun.
He was eventually subdued charged with one count of resisting arrest, one count of possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose, one count of aggravated assault upon a police officer, one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer and one count of attempting to disarm a police officer. That last charge is a second degree offense. Needless to say, he is facing a ton of time here. Oddly enough, his bail is only $15,000 which is really low given the number of charges and the amount of prison time he is potentially facing.
Story is here.
Retired NJ State Trooper allegedly shoots at wife
Toms River police allege that Bruce Figular, a retired NJ State Trooper shot at his wife, but missed. His wife, who fled the home, did not have any injuries. Few details were released about the incident, but there were a few interesting details. One is that it took police at least 90 minutes to go into the house and arrest Figular which suggest some time of stand off and negotiation. After he was arrested, Figular was brought first to the hospital and then to the jail. This suggests he either had physical injuries or mental health issues.
He is charged with aggravated assault which, in this case, is a second degree charge. Attempted murder is not always charged in these shoot and miss cases as it can be difficult to proove that there was an intent to kill. I would also like to know if a restraining order was filed as they almost always are in these cases. If so, he needs a good attorney at the FRO hearing to question the wife to essentially depose her.
Maybe I’m biased, but I think it also helps to have an attorney that knows his (or her) was around family court as well as criminal court. While there is a possibility for his wife to get back on his side, there is just as much of a chance of a divorce. Having one attorney to handle both issues may not only save him a lot of money, but it may make the criminal case much easier to deal with.
As an attorney, my main focus would be on his mental health status at the time of the offense in addition to taking testimony from the wife at the FRO hearing. A good mental health defense and/or intoxication defense could be used to keep him out of prison.
Story is here.
Tonacchio Law LC 