Statements on the release of cop killer Sundiata Acoli

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY

“I am deeply disappointed that Sundiata Acoli, a man who murdered Trooper Werner Foerster in cold blood in 1973, will be released from prison. In 1996, Governor Whitman signed a law ensuring that anyone who murders an officer on duty will receive life in prison without the possibility of parole, and I profoundly wish this law had been in place when Acoli was sentenced in 1974. Our men and women in uniform are heroes, and anyone who would take the life of an officer on duty should remain behind bars until the end of their life.”

ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL MATT PLATKIN

“I am grateful to the attorneys in my office who opposed the release of Sundiata Acoli and I am disappointed that he will be released on parole. Under New Jersey law today, if an individual murders a law enforcement officer on duty he is never eligible for parole—a decision that reflects the heinous nature of that crime. I will always stand up for the safety and well-being of our law enforcement officers, including the brave Troopers of the New Jersey State Police.”

NEW JERSEY STATE POLICEMAN’S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT PAT COLLIGAN

“We stand with our brothers and sisters of the New Jersey State Police during this difficult time.  We disagree with the New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision and for the court to release that decision during Police Week is a slap in the face to every New Jersey law enforcement officer.”

SENATE MINORITY LEADER STEVE OROHO

“The New Jersey Supreme Court made an outrageous mistake in granting parole to this notorious cop-killer.  Sundiata Acoli murdered a New Jersey State Trooper and he should spend the rest of his life in jail, just like today’s law requires.”

REPUBLICAN STATE CHAIRMAN BOB HUGIN

“At a time when our brave law enforcement officers are under attack, it is unthinkable that the convicted murderer of State Trooper Werner Foerster will now walk free. It is particularly devastating given the fact that justice has yet to be fully served. Joanne Chesimard, Acoli’s accomplice, has never been held accountable for this heinous act – and Democratic policies are partially to blame. From the Obama Administration’s failure to secure extradition from Cuba before normalizing diplomatic relations to the inaction of Democrats in the New Jersey legislature, we are not moved by their display of faux outrage today.  Democrats have not only sympathized with Chesimard for years, but they have also generally supported a dangerous ‘defund-the-police & release the criminals’ agenda here in New Jersey that has left our communities less safe. This November, voters will see through their crocodile tears.”

ASSEMBLYMAN KEVIN ROONEY

“I stand with the New Jersey State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association and New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association in my disappointment with today’s New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that allows the release of an unapologetic cop killer.  Clark Squire, who renamed himself Sundiata Acoli, and his associates – one of whom is murderous fugitive Joanne Chesimard – voluntarily entered into conflict with two innocent State Troopers.  One of these brave men in blue, Trooper Werner Foerster, was killed performing his duty to protect the citizens of New Jersey.  While I respect the Court’s right to rule as it sees fit, I am dismayed at the gut punch it has sent to every law enforcement officer around our state.”

ASSEMBLYWOMAN VICKY FLYNN

“We all must stand with law enforcement today due to the unfortunate decision issued by the NJ Supreme Court to overrule the parole board and subsequently authorize the release of a cop killer. This is so unbelievable and tragic, especially as law enforcement kicked off its Unity Tour.  A simple reading of the decision demonstrated that it is a results-oriented decision since there is no legal basis to let this killer go free, especially since he has not expressed remorse after all these years for the death of one of our state’s police officers. The Foerster family is my thoughts and prayers today and always.”

ASSEMBLYMAN GERALD SCHARFENBERGER

“This decision is an absolute disgrace and is a slap in the face to every law enforcement officer in New Jersey. It is unfathomable how some members of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the highest court in the state, can make a callous ruling – there is no excuse whatsoever for this murderer to be given a chance at parole. Adding more insult to this ruling is hearing that one of the reasons for the parole was because of Acoli’s ‘verbal renunciation of violence’ – this is ludicrous, you shouldn’t get a pass for murdering a State Trooper because you suddenly proclaim to be a pacifist – it’s outrageous.”

NEW JERSEY WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

“Sundiata Acoli has served decades in prison. 49 years.  He deserves to live out the last years of his life outside of prison walls and most certainly does not pose a threat to anyone. We agree with the parole board and applaud this decision.”

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN

“The New Jersey Supreme Court announcing its ruling on the release of Sundiata Acoli is concerning and does not provide comfort to the family of Trooper Foerster or to our officers in uniform who put their lives on the line each day. It must be clear that we stand with the law, that the murder of an officer on duty removes the opportunity for parole.”

STATE SENATOR JON BRAMNICK 

“The decision by the Supreme Court to allow a murderer of a State Trooper to have any freedom at all is very sad. Society needs to hold cop killers totally responsible for their horrific acts.”

NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION

” The State Troopers Fraternal Association believes the New Jersey Supreme Court delivered a gut-wrenching blow to the Foerster family, the New Jersey State Police Family, and the entire law enforcement community, with the Court’s Opinion ordering the release of the convicted murderer of Trooper Werner Foerster.  In a month where we remember the anniversary of Trooper Foerster’s execution on the New Jersey Turnpike, and honor all of our fallen law enforcement officers in our nation’s capitol, this decision, to quote the dissenting Justices  ‘is a disrespect to our fundamental principles and a grave injustice to Trooper Foerster and his family.'”

“This decision erodes the accountability and comfort to the Foerster family provided by the conviction of Acoli almost fifty years ago. Trooper Foerster’s family has not been able to spend one second, minute, day, week or year with him, since his execution on May 2, 1973. However, now the Court will allow a convicted murderer with a checkered past to spend his last days in freedom with his family and friends. This decision is a slap in the face to every brave law enforcement officer in our nation in that if they one day make the ultimate sacrifice, their memory and legacy and their family can be disrespected by a lack of accountability and punishment on a technicality.”