"He was killed for no other reason than that he had a badge and a uniform," Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said. "It's ironic that this defendant, whose contempt of this court initially started this process, was afforded a fair trial. His rights were protected, and he was protected at every step, by a system he held in contempt."
She was referring to outstanding arrest warrants that authorities had issued for Crockam involving weapons charges. Prosecutors said Crockam, who also is awaiting trial for another, unrelated murder that took place a few months before the officer was killed, thought he was about to be arrested on those warrants for weapons offenses and killed the officer to avoid going to jail.
The verdict came on the second day of deliberations in the highly publicized case, attended daily by many of the slain officer's relatives, as well as police officers from numerous agencies.
Matlosz's fiancee, Kelly Walsifer, collapsed in sobs when the verdict was read.
"Chris was present in the room," she said. "He was with us, with all of us. He can rest in peace now.
"I have a lot of emotions right now," Walsifer said, clutching a set of pink rosary beads. "I want to be overwhelmed with joy, but it's very bittersweet. It doesn't bring Chris back."
Crockam showed no emotion as the verdicts were read, although a few of Matlosz's relatives and friends exclaimed, "Yes!"
Immediately afterward, Crockam stood up from the chair he had occupied throughout the three-week trial, and two sheriff's officers grabbed his hands and placed them behind his back, handcuffed him, and led him out of the courtroom.
His defense attorney, Mark Fury, had maintained that police arrested the wrong man. He elected not to present a defense of Crockam, contending that there was no reliable evidence or witness identification of Crockam as the shooter.
