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PROSECUTOR'S "MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE" APPEARS TO BE "MOUNTAIN OF HOT AIR"

At the Probable Cause hearing of Sgt. Robert Vanaman on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 it became apparent that what the Prosecutor's Office had previously reported to be a "Mountain of Evidence" is little more than wishful thinking.  The Prosecutor's Office presented one witness to testify on their behalf.

Det. Sgt. George Chopek took the stand in Judge Geiger's courtroom and openly admitted that the New Jersey State Medical Examiner, Lila Perez, would not issue a report that sustained the Prosecutor's charges.  Ms. Perez responded to Sgt. Vanaman's home on May 11, 2006, and processed the evidence. 

Det. Chopek further testified that upon receiving word that Ms. Perez did not reach the desired conclusion sought by the Prosecutor, they went out and hired the Maryland State Medical Examiner to generate a report more to their liking.  This action no doubt caused the 6 month delay in the investigation.

Just as alarming, Det. Sgt. George Chopek, of the Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit, stated that he was in-charge of the investigation and responsible for overseeing all personnel and the processing of the scene on May 11, 2006.  In the very next sentence, Det. Sgt. Chopek admitted that he did not take one single note, nor generate any report or written documentation on the incident.

The next major piece of evidence , aside from the expert report that they paid for, was that the knife used in the attack was broken.  They did not feel that the wounds sustained by Sgt. Vanaman were severe enough to cause the knife to break and therefore concluded that Sgt. Vanaman broke the knife himself?  They apparently have not considered the multitude of situations that could cause the knife to be broken during the violent attack.  Perhaps Barbara missed a couple times and hit something solid instead of her husband?  Or perhaps the integrity of the knife was compromised prior to the attack?  Or after, by members of the Rescue Squad or other police personnel on the scene?

The last piece of evidence was that the phone they tested did not have any blood on it.  Det. Sgt. Chopek then admitted that there were numerous phones in the residence and he was not sure if the phone they tested was in fact the phone used to place the 911 call.

With the Holiday Season upon us we are all aware of the increase in number of domestics, not only among civilians but in our personal lives as well.

EdPDLaw encourages all LEO's to review the Domestic Violence page in preparation for this Holiday Season.

None of us are immuned from domestics:

Sgt. Robert Vanaman, a long time colleague of mine, was arrested 2 days before Thanksgiving and charged with:

First Degree Murder,

Tampering/Fabricating Evidence, and;

False Swearing,

in connection with a domestic which occurred in May of this year.

It is alleged that Sgt. Vanaman was called home from work (he and his wife were separating and she was removing her belongings from the home) by his wife.

Thereafter, Sgt. Vanaman called for assistance, his wife had been shot and he had multiple stab wounds.

Sgt. Vanaman and his wife were rushed to the hospital.  She died from 2 gunshot wounds to the chest, he remained hospitalized for 4 days with multiple stab wounds to the hands, arms and chest.  They have two sons who were not at home at the  time.

The media immediately attacked Sgt. Vanaman and painted his wife as a martyr.

The media only reported that the two were separating. 

They neglected to report that she was leaving him for a married man who was ten years younger than she.

They neglected to report that she was leaving him with custody of their children.

They neglected to report of her numerous prior indiscretions and the numerous times that he overlooked them.

They neglected to report on what a good, kind and loving father he is.

Not a word about being a good officer.

Nothing on being a good, loyal and supportive friend.

Instead the media painted him as a cold, hard killer, a man who abused both his wife and his authority as a police officer.

They demanded his arrest.

Sgt. Vanaman obtained an attorney who made arrangements with the Prosecutor's Office for him to turn himself in should charges be brought.

Sgt. Vanaman attended his wife's funeral and has raised his two sons, in the same town where this  ocurred, for the past 6 months. 

He takes his children to school here, he has not been able to bring himself to return to work.

After six months of fruitless investigation and receipt of an expert report that supports Vanaman's claim of self defense, the Prosecutor's Office arrested Sgt. Vanaman.

The Prosecutor's Office did not contact Sgt. Vanaman's attorney prior to the arrest as agreed.  They did not convene a grand jury nor have a probable cause hearing prior to charging and arresting Sgt. Vanaman (?) with: 

First Degree (Pre-meditated) Murder

Fabricating Evidence (inflicting his own multiple stab wounds), and

False Swearing (he never gave a statement to anyone).

They swore out a Warrant for $750,000 cash bail and took a "Team" to arrest him at his home in front of his 5 year old son, who is already traumatized by loosing his mother.

The newspapers broke the story that he was "finally" arrested....

He was "trailed" to his home by a "team".......

The bloggers demanded he get the "needle" and compared him to "OJ Simpson".

Sgt. Vanaman was arraigned on the eve of Thanksgiving in front of a Jury Box of Reporters and a courtroom full of gloating members of the Prosecutor's Office (Shame on them)! He remains in jail.

I cannot imagine being placed in a position to choose between saving my life and taking the life of my spouse, the mother of my children.  Perhaps this explains why Sgt. Vanaman sustained so many stab wounds before taking the actions necessary to defend himself.

As LEO's we are acutely aware that we are legally justified to use deadly force when confronted with a knife wielding suspect (wife or not).  Although Sgt. Vanaman was justified in using deadly force prior to being stabbed, he allowed his wife to stab him numerous times before taking action to protect himself.  The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, although LEO's themselves, have forgotten their training and given into the pressure of the media.

I have the utmost respect for Sgt. Vanaman.   He is a good, decent, and loving  father.  He is an excellent police officer, dedicated and loyal colleague.   Please keep him, his children and his family in your prayers this Holiday season. Pray that they find the strength to endure the struggles ahead.

I am confident that we will prevail and he will be acquitted.

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