February 22, 2002
Trenton,
NJ — A Ewing man who ran over Trenton Police Sergeant John Schroeder with an
automobile while trying to escape arrest was indicted today for attempted
murder, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced.
“A
police officer has a right to perform his or her duties without being subject
to violence,” Giaquinto said. “This
case is a horrendous example of a lack of respect for authority and life.”
Eric
H. Lacey (DOB 7/5/82), of the first block of Rosedale Avenue in Ewing, was
charged in a multi-count indictment for an incident that occurred on October
10, 2001. At approximately 11:30
p.m. that evening, as Schroeder approached a white 1983 Chevy Lumina, an
individual opened the driver’s side door and fled on foot.
Another individual, later identified as Lacey, slid across into the
driver’s seat, put the vehicle into drive, jumped the curb, and drove the
car at Schroeder. Schroeder fired
two shots before the vehicle knocked him to the ground and ran him over,
breaking both of his legs and requiring him to undergo surgery.
Lacey
fled the scene and was apprehended shortly thereafter near Battle Monument
Park in Trenton.
If
convicted of the attempted murder charge, a first-degree offense, Lacey could
be sentenced to 10-20 years in prison, Giaquinto said.
In
addition to the attempted murder charge, Lacey was indicted on five counts of
aggravated assault, one count of eluding police, one count of resisting
arrest, one count of unlawful taking of a means of conveyance, and various
drug and weapons offenses. He is
currently being held in the Mercer County Corrections Center in lieu of
$750,000 bail. Assistant Prosecutor Kimm Lacken presented the case to the
grand jury.
Schroeder
is still undergoing rehabilitation for his injuries.
Despite
having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.