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Mosquera Questions Prosecutor’s Decision in Ray Rice Domestic Violence Case in Light of Graphic New Video

Calls for Examination of Pre-Trial Intervention Law

Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera on Monday questioned the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s decision to offer Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in light of the new video evidence that has surfaced showing Rice’s brutal assault on his then fiancé.

Mosquera also questioned whether the state’s PTI law needs to be reexamined so as to limit who is eligible for this alternative to prosecution.

“After seeing this very graphic video of the events that had previously been reported, it’s all the more puzzling as to how the county prosecutor reached a decision that Pre-Trial Intervention was the appropriate course of discipline in this case. It’s confounding, actually.

“In light of this, I think we need to reexamine our PTI law to make sure it is being applied appropriately and not misused in anyway. At the very least, it can’t hurt to start a constructive dialogue on whether we should set parameters for who is eligible for this program, particularly when it comes to violent offenders.

“It’s very easy to have a knee-jerk, visceral reaction to disturbing imagery like this, but what I’d like to see is an honest examination of whether this rehabilitative program should have stricter guidelines so that public safety is not jeopardized,” said Mosquera (D-Camden/Gloucester).

Since joining the General Assembly, domestic violence issues have been one of Mosquera’s top priorities. She has sponsored numerous bills to crack down on offenders and aid victims, including one to better prepare local and state agencies to respond to domestic violence incidents, one granting leave time from work for domestic violence victims to seek medical attention and deal with legal issues, and another allowing victims to testify via closed-circuit television rather than appearing in court with their abuser.