26-03-2025
Petition asks for teen charged in Newark detective's murder to be tried as an adult
The Brief
A 14-year-old has been charged with the murder of Newark Police Detective Joseph Azcona but cannot be tried as an adult under current New Jersey law.
Azcona's family launched a petition with nearly 16,000 signatures, urging lawmakers to lower the age requirement for adult prosecution in violent crimes.
Legal experts say changing the law retroactively is unlikely, but police unions are backing the family's push for legislative reform.
NEW JERSEY - A 14-year-old is facing murder charges in the shooting death of Newark Police Detective Joseph Azcona. Because of his age, he cannot be tried as an adult under New Jersey law. Now, the detective's family and supporters are petitioning lawmakers to change that.
What we know
The 14-year-old suspect has been charged with murdering Detective Azcona, who was killed in the line of duty less than three weeks ago. Azcona and another officer were shot while responding to reports of a suspect with an illegal gun.
RELATED: Boy, 14, charged after 2 cops shot, 1 killed, in Newark, NJ
Despite the gravity of the crime, New Jersey law currently prevents anyone under 15 from being prosecuted as an adult. That means the accused teen is being tried in the juvenile justice system.
What they're saying
Now, Detective Azcona's family is calling for a change in the law. His mother recently started a petition on that has already garnered nearly 16,000 signatures. The petition urges lawmakers to revise the age threshold for adult prosecution in violent crimes.
"We firmly believe that the gravity of the crime committed should be the determining factor of the proceeding, not the age of the offender." The family of Newark Police Detective Joseph Azcona
However, according to criminal defense attorney Herb Ellis, such a change would face significant legal hurdles.
"The petition and the public at large are creating some type of a position that they want this young man to be treated as an adult, but I think the only way of changing that… would be to have the legislature change the law in the future," Ellis said. "Even with the petition that was signed, I think it's going to be an uphill battle to have him waived up as an adult."
The other side
The New Jersey State Police Union is also backing the Azcona family's efforts. Union president Michael Fox sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to eliminate age restrictions and give prosecutors more discretion in charging juveniles as adults.
What's next
Unless the legislature amends the law, the suspect will remain in the juvenile system. While public pressure is mounting, any change would likely not be retroactive and would only apply to future cases.
