Justice for Jacob Gentry!
Justice for Jacob Gentry!
The Issue
I am starting this petition on behalf of my dear friend Jacob Gentry.
I met him in 2015 at a concert in Chicago, and he told me his amazing story, spending 7 years (of a 30 year sentence) in a SUPERMAX Prison for an act of self defense, and how his conviction was overturned because an appellate court found it unconstitutional, and now was being RETRIED for the same crime.
The short version, he accidentally killed his attacker, David Haulmark, a former linebacker who outweighed him by nearly 80 lbs, in a fistfight. A man who he, and his friends had repeatedly assaulted and attacked Jacob, a witness testified in Jacob's trial, said he would "Kill Jacob and F--K his girlfriend." Jacob fought for his life, and was lucky to escape with it.
His story touched me so, that we became friends and I am doing all I can to help bring awareness to his case. He is a good man, with an amazing family, who deserves Justice. With the same biased judge and prosecutor attempting to try him again, Jacob has NO hope of a fair, unbiased trial. And we are doing all we can to change that. Let New Jersey know we are watching and support Jacob, and demand justice!
His Story:
Jacob Gentry was a young man working on average 80 to 100 hours per week on a pipeline construction job near Pine Island, New York in 2008, with his whole life in front of him. Described by both defense and state's witnesses alike as being a hard worker and not a troublemaker, he was repeatedly assaulted by a group of known troublemakers both on and off the job, who referred to themselves as "The Pipeline Mafia". Jacob was attacked from behind, and beaten again by several men, including David Haulmark, after retreating from a confrontation while getting on an elevator to go to his room. Jacob and his girlfriend sought help from the Vernon Township police department, but received none. Trying to avoid future confrontations with this group, Jacob moved to Port Jervice, New York. This substantially increased his rent as well as his drive time to and from work. All of his efforts were in vain, however, because the bullying continued.
On the evening of August 17, 2008 while dropping off a co-worker who felt he was too intoxicated to drive, Jacob encountered David Haulmark, the man who had antagonized him on so many occasions before. He had been told by staff that the "troublemakers were gone", therefore he felt that he could safely go in and say hello to friends he had made while living there. Once inside, he and his younger brother, a college student with an exemplary reputation, were approached by Haulmark, who initiated a confrontation. Video surveillance shows Haulmark striking another man in the head from behind just 40 minutes prior to Jacob's arrival, a tactic he had previouslu used on Jacob.
Prosecutors coached their witnesses as they described Haulmark's actions as, "playful", but a patron sitting nearby testified that there was nothing playful about it. Later that night David Haulmark followed Jacob and Jacob's brother Jarrod outside. Outweighing Jacob by 70 lbs, the former linebacker attacked Jacob, who was forced to fight for his life, while his brother and girlfriend jumped in to protect him. As a result of this unfortunate incident, the aggressor, David Haulmark, sustained life-threatening injuries, and due to lack of medical attention, died from injuries sustained from Jacob in self-defense.
Police arrive at Jacob's residence in the early morning hours of August 18, telling Jacob that Mr. Haulmark told them he had been in an altercation with Jake. Jacob acknowledges this as the truth and answers all questions. He is subsequently transported to jail, but is unaware that Mr. Haulmark has passed away until his arraignment. Despite repeated motions for a quick and speedy trial, (one of which was never addressed), Jacob and Jarrod were charged with 1st degree murder and held for over 3 years under a $750,000 bond. George Dagget was retained as an attorney for Jarrod, with the promise that he would aid the public defender, Tomas Militano, as it would be a "conflict of interest" for him to represent both Gentrys.
Once the trial began, justice was truly perverted, disregarding and flat-out ignoring crucial evidence and testimony, and saying that Mr. Haulmark never harmed Jacob. They acknowledged violence by Sean (Frog) Taxis, and their own witnesses described Haulmark as Frog's "muscle." Both men's violent nature was brought out as the state's own witness described an event in which they became upset over a disagreement over tip money. Mr. Haulmark, calling himself the "pipeline mafia" told her they would kill her and her children and bury them where their “bodies would never be found.”
Prosecutors telephoned defense witnesses trying to dissuade them from testifying, and ridiculed them once they took the stand. Prosecutor Seanna Pappas described pipeliners as "uneducated", an ignorant statement that I'm sure many pipeline engineers, project managers, and others with college degrees would debate. She wove a story of what might have happened that night, complete with a narrative of their imagined conversation. This was allowed, with instructions to the jury that it was, in fact, pure speculation. Lines of questioning and witness testimony attesting to Haulmark's violence toward his ex-wife were blocked, even though the defense attorney had copies of two orders of protection filed by her. In these, she describes violent attacts against her which included biting, (he had also bitten and choked Jacob) and documented the fact that she feared not only for her life, but for that of her children, as well. Prosecutors instead described Haulmark as a non-violent family man, leaving out his drug use and arrest record.
Judge N. Peter Conforti said he was considering a misstrial after a violation of the sequestration order by two of the State's witnesses, but ruled that the trial would continue. The last crushing blow to the defense was on the day the defense rested, when both defense attorney, Tom Militano and prosecutor Greg Muller had knowledge of and failed to tell the judge about another violation of the sequestration order. This should be deemed prosecutorial misconduct with prejudice. State's witness Kenneth Wise, a member of the New Jersey State Police who had appeared as a CSI, a blood spatter expert (he was deemed an expert in this courtroom for the first time ever after taking a 40 hour course), and as a rebuttal witness was seen exiting the elevator engaged in a conversation with a juror. Another clear violation of the court imposed order of sequestration.
The jury consequently convicted Jacob of aggravated manslaughter. At sentencing, Judge Conforti acknowledged that there had been prior altercations between Jacob and Mr. Haulmark and that Haulmark’s own actions most likely contributed to his death. This went against the basis of what the prosecution maintained throughout the trial. Jacob was sentenced to 30 years and served 7 long years in a SUPERMAX Prison.
On January 13, 2015 Jacob’s conviction was overturned on appeal, due to improper jury instruction. Immediately the prosecutors started a witchhunt/political campaign to RETRY him.
After 7 long years, Jacob is a free man, but for how long? Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Oct 7th for a SECOND jury trial with the SAME judge and prosecutors who had so heinously derailed justice for him the first time.
Jacob is known as a loving, generous, kind and honest person by those who know him. He has always been a friend and helper to those less fortunate. Now the time has come to help him. We desperately need to bring attention and public reaction to stand up and tell the people in New Jersey that this is wrong, and Justice needs to be served. We feel sadness and hurt for the Haulmark family, but this doesn't mean that Jacob deserved an unfair trial, nor does he deserve to spend the rest of his life behind bars for a horrible, unfortunate accident.
As a result of defending himself from the last of many vicious attacks, Jacob has already lost 7 years of his life. Stand up now before he loses another 30. Jacob is a son, a brother, a friend. He plays guitar, and loves music. He works hard and loves his family. And he could be any one of us. Please sign this petition and tell the state of New Jersey that you are watching and demand JUSTICE FOR JACOB!
More Info: http://www.nj.com/sussex-county/index.ssf/2015/01/court_overturns_verdict_for_man_accused_of_beating.html
From the appelate court decision to overturn the conviction:
Defendant was charged with murder, aggravated manslaughter and reckless manslaughter in the death of David Haulmark. The State's theory was that defendant, his girlfriend Emily Henry (Emily or the girlfriend), and his brother Jarrod Gentry (Jarrod or the brother) attacked Haulmark and beat him to death. Defendant claimed self-defense and denied that the brother or the girlfriend participated in the incident. We find that defendant was denied a fair trial when the trial court erroneously failed to charge the jury that self-defense was a complete justification for aggravated manslaughter and manslaughter, in addition to being a defense to murder. The jury acquitted defendant of murder but convicted him of aggravated manslaughter. Because the evidence, viewed favorably to the defense, was sufficient to support a claim of self-defense, that error had the clear capacity to produce an unjust result. R. 2:10–2. Consequently, the aggravated manslaughter conviction must be reversed. - http://caselaw.findlaw.com/nj-superior-court-appellate-division/1689352.htmlf
The Issue
I am starting this petition on behalf of my dear friend Jacob Gentry.
I met him in 2015 at a concert in Chicago, and he told me his amazing story, spending 7 years (of a 30 year sentence) in a SUPERMAX Prison for an act of self defense, and how his conviction was overturned because an appellate court found it unconstitutional, and now was being RETRIED for the same crime.
The short version, he accidentally killed his attacker, David Haulmark, a former linebacker who outweighed him by nearly 80 lbs, in a fistfight. A man who he, and his friends had repeatedly assaulted and attacked Jacob, a witness testified in Jacob's trial, said he would "Kill Jacob and F--K his girlfriend." Jacob fought for his life, and was lucky to escape with it.
His story touched me so, that we became friends and I am doing all I can to help bring awareness to his case. He is a good man, with an amazing family, who deserves Justice. With the same biased judge and prosecutor attempting to try him again, Jacob has NO hope of a fair, unbiased trial. And we are doing all we can to change that. Let New Jersey know we are watching and support Jacob, and demand justice!
His Story:
Jacob Gentry was a young man working on average 80 to 100 hours per week on a pipeline construction job near Pine Island, New York in 2008, with his whole life in front of him. Described by both defense and state's witnesses alike as being a hard worker and not a troublemaker, he was repeatedly assaulted by a group of known troublemakers both on and off the job, who referred to themselves as "The Pipeline Mafia". Jacob was attacked from behind, and beaten again by several men, including David Haulmark, after retreating from a confrontation while getting on an elevator to go to his room. Jacob and his girlfriend sought help from the Vernon Township police department, but received none. Trying to avoid future confrontations with this group, Jacob moved to Port Jervice, New York. This substantially increased his rent as well as his drive time to and from work. All of his efforts were in vain, however, because the bullying continued.
On the evening of August 17, 2008 while dropping off a co-worker who felt he was too intoxicated to drive, Jacob encountered David Haulmark, the man who had antagonized him on so many occasions before. He had been told by staff that the "troublemakers were gone", therefore he felt that he could safely go in and say hello to friends he had made while living there. Once inside, he and his younger brother, a college student with an exemplary reputation, were approached by Haulmark, who initiated a confrontation. Video surveillance shows Haulmark striking another man in the head from behind just 40 minutes prior to Jacob's arrival, a tactic he had previouslu used on Jacob.
Prosecutors coached their witnesses as they described Haulmark's actions as, "playful", but a patron sitting nearby testified that there was nothing playful about it. Later that night David Haulmark followed Jacob and Jacob's brother Jarrod outside. Outweighing Jacob by 70 lbs, the former linebacker attacked Jacob, who was forced to fight for his life, while his brother and girlfriend jumped in to protect him. As a result of this unfortunate incident, the aggressor, David Haulmark, sustained life-threatening injuries, and due to lack of medical attention, died from injuries sustained from Jacob in self-defense.
Police arrive at Jacob's residence in the early morning hours of August 18, telling Jacob that Mr. Haulmark told them he had been in an altercation with Jake. Jacob acknowledges this as the truth and answers all questions. He is subsequently transported to jail, but is unaware that Mr. Haulmark has passed away until his arraignment. Despite repeated motions for a quick and speedy trial, (one of which was never addressed), Jacob and Jarrod were charged with 1st degree murder and held for over 3 years under a $750,000 bond. George Dagget was retained as an attorney for Jarrod, with the promise that he would aid the public defender, Tomas Militano, as it would be a "conflict of interest" for him to represent both Gentrys.
Once the trial began, justice was truly perverted, disregarding and flat-out ignoring crucial evidence and testimony, and saying that Mr. Haulmark never harmed Jacob. They acknowledged violence by Sean (Frog) Taxis, and their own witnesses described Haulmark as Frog's "muscle." Both men's violent nature was brought out as the state's own witness described an event in which they became upset over a disagreement over tip money. Mr. Haulmark, calling himself the "pipeline mafia" told her they would kill her and her children and bury them where their “bodies would never be found.”
Prosecutors telephoned defense witnesses trying to dissuade them from testifying, and ridiculed them once they took the stand. Prosecutor Seanna Pappas described pipeliners as "uneducated", an ignorant statement that I'm sure many pipeline engineers, project managers, and others with college degrees would debate. She wove a story of what might have happened that night, complete with a narrative of their imagined conversation. This was allowed, with instructions to the jury that it was, in fact, pure speculation. Lines of questioning and witness testimony attesting to Haulmark's violence toward his ex-wife were blocked, even though the defense attorney had copies of two orders of protection filed by her. In these, she describes violent attacts against her which included biting, (he had also bitten and choked Jacob) and documented the fact that she feared not only for her life, but for that of her children, as well. Prosecutors instead described Haulmark as a non-violent family man, leaving out his drug use and arrest record.
Judge N. Peter Conforti said he was considering a misstrial after a violation of the sequestration order by two of the State's witnesses, but ruled that the trial would continue. The last crushing blow to the defense was on the day the defense rested, when both defense attorney, Tom Militano and prosecutor Greg Muller had knowledge of and failed to tell the judge about another violation of the sequestration order. This should be deemed prosecutorial misconduct with prejudice. State's witness Kenneth Wise, a member of the New Jersey State Police who had appeared as a CSI, a blood spatter expert (he was deemed an expert in this courtroom for the first time ever after taking a 40 hour course), and as a rebuttal witness was seen exiting the elevator engaged in a conversation with a juror. Another clear violation of the court imposed order of sequestration.
The jury consequently convicted Jacob of aggravated manslaughter. At sentencing, Judge Conforti acknowledged that there had been prior altercations between Jacob and Mr. Haulmark and that Haulmark’s own actions most likely contributed to his death. This went against the basis of what the prosecution maintained throughout the trial. Jacob was sentenced to 30 years and served 7 long years in a SUPERMAX Prison.
On January 13, 2015 Jacob’s conviction was overturned on appeal, due to improper jury instruction. Immediately the prosecutors started a witchhunt/political campaign to RETRY him.
After 7 long years, Jacob is a free man, but for how long? Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Oct 7th for a SECOND jury trial with the SAME judge and prosecutors who had so heinously derailed justice for him the first time.
Jacob is known as a loving, generous, kind and honest person by those who know him. He has always been a friend and helper to those less fortunate. Now the time has come to help him. We desperately need to bring attention and public reaction to stand up and tell the people in New Jersey that this is wrong, and Justice needs to be served. We feel sadness and hurt for the Haulmark family, but this doesn't mean that Jacob deserved an unfair trial, nor does he deserve to spend the rest of his life behind bars for a horrible, unfortunate accident.
As a result of defending himself from the last of many vicious attacks, Jacob has already lost 7 years of his life. Stand up now before he loses another 30. Jacob is a son, a brother, a friend. He plays guitar, and loves music. He works hard and loves his family. And he could be any one of us. Please sign this petition and tell the state of New Jersey that you are watching and demand JUSTICE FOR JACOB!
More Info: http://www.nj.com/sussex-county/index.ssf/2015/01/court_overturns_verdict_for_man_accused_of_beating.html
From the appelate court decision to overturn the conviction:
Defendant was charged with murder, aggravated manslaughter and reckless manslaughter in the death of David Haulmark. The State's theory was that defendant, his girlfriend Emily Henry (Emily or the girlfriend), and his brother Jarrod Gentry (Jarrod or the brother) attacked Haulmark and beat him to death. Defendant claimed self-defense and denied that the brother or the girlfriend participated in the incident. We find that defendant was denied a fair trial when the trial court erroneously failed to charge the jury that self-defense was a complete justification for aggravated manslaughter and manslaughter, in addition to being a defense to murder. The jury acquitted defendant of murder but convicted him of aggravated manslaughter. Because the evidence, viewed favorably to the defense, was sufficient to support a claim of self-defense, that error had the clear capacity to produce an unjust result. R. 2:10–2. Consequently, the aggravated manslaughter conviction must be reversed. - http://caselaw.findlaw.com/nj-superior-court-appellate-division/1689352.htmlf
Petition Closed
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on July 20, 2015