© Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Edison, NJ) – Following a rash of home break-ins, including the deadly shooting of a New Jersey detective, the state is taking action. Governor Phil Murphy was on hand in Edison to sign the bill into law, joined by a major advocate for the new measure, Edison Mayor Sam Joshi.
The law has been months in the making, however the recent shooting of Detective Sergeant Monica Mosley in her own home, placed the pressure on lawmakers to hold criminals accountable. Mosley was killed after police say several suspects kicked in her front door. She was 51 years old. Those suspects are still at large.
The bill extends prison time for those convicted of home invasions, with even stricter penalties for those possessing a deadly weapon. The law also increases penalties for minors that commit home burglary, as many law enforcement officials believe crime rings recruit juveniles on their behalf because of previous leniency in court. That now changes with teens 15 and older on the hook for up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
