Newark cop indicted in fatal shooting: 'I knew I did the right thing'

Joshua Jongsma
NorthJersey

CALDWELL — The same actions that led to Jovanny Crespo's indictment saved his life, the Newark police officer said on Wednesday.

Crespo shot two men in a fleeing vehicle Jan. 28 on Irvine Turner Boulevard in Newark. Gregory Griffin, 46, died the next day and Andrew J. Dixon, 35, had serious injuries. 

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office levied charges of aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and official misconduct against Crespo last month. Speaking at his attorney's Caldwell office Wednesday, Crespo said he would do it all again in the same scenario.

"My actions that day are the reason why I’m talking right now," he said. "If not we’d be at my funeral or some sort. I know I wouldn’t be here."

Crespo, 26, shot at the car at three different locations after another officer initially stopped the vehicle, according to the Prosecutor's Office. The other officer reported that Griffin fled from the traffic stop and she saw a gun. 

"I’ve seen that passenger turn his body with a weapon in his hand point it directly at me," Crespo said. "I had no choice but to take fire upon him."

Jovanny Crespo, at left, with his attorney Patrick Toscano June 26, 2019.

The Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund supports Crespo, President Jason Johnson said. Crespo's actions protected not only himself but his fellow officers and citizens of Newark, Johnson said. 

"We determined that he is in fact wrongfully charged," Johnson said. 

Crespo's attorney Patrick Toscano cited a New Jersey Attorney General's Office guideline on vehicle pursuits that states officers cannot fire on a moving vehicle "except as a last resort to prevent imminent death or serious injury to the officer or another person where deadly force would otherwise be justified."

The response by Crespo was justified given the presence of the gun and the erratic driving by Griffin, Toscano said. 

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When asked why Crespo was indicted if his actions were justified, Toscano said, "When a story doesn't add up it's because the truth was not added to the equation."

Spending several days in prison following his indictment was a traumatic experience, Crespo said.

"It’s unfortunate," he said. "I knew I did the right thing so I knew I was in there for no reason."

Bo Dietl, a former New York City detective and brought on by the defense as an expert witness, said if Crespo had been less aggressive and the car got away he would have been criticized. Not only that but others could have been hurt or killed if not for Crespo, Dietl said.

"He didn’t let up because he’s a hero," Dietl said, "and he should get a medal for acting the way we acted."

A status conference on Crespo's case before Essex County Judge Ron Wigler is scheduled for July 16.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com