A Paterson man is facing charges for attempted murder,carjacking, robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose after being identified in connection with a recent shooting and carjacking.
According to Paterson Police Lieutenant Patrick Murray, 20-year-old Rahjohn Rutherford was already being detained at the Paterson City Jail, during which time detectives from the department’s Cease-Fire Unit tied him to a carjacking-shooting incident that occurred on December 29th at approximately 8:15 p.m. near 4th Avenue and East 23rd Street in Paterson.
The crime involved a 22-year-old victim, who sustained gunshot wounds to the lower back and left foot when attempting to flee from the vehicle in which he was being held at gunpoint. The victim is reportedly recovering after his release from the hospital.
Authorities subsequently discovered the stolen vehicle in the Paterson area and were continuing their investigation when they identified Rutherford as the lead suspect.
After filing the charges against him, police facilitated the transportation of Rutherford from the Paterson City Jail to the Passaic County Jail, where he is currently being held, with his bail set at $1 million.
If convicted of the charges against him, Rutherford could be subject to severe penalties, the most serious of which stem from the charges for attempted murder and carjacking.
Carjacking, which is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2, is considered a crime of the first degree and, upon conviction, a person can be sentenced to a term of imprisonment ranging from 10 to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison. Notably, carjacking convictions are one of those enumerated under the statutes N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7 and 2C:44-3, which govern extended termswith regard to sentencing. These statutes require individuals convicted of specifically delineated crimes to be sentenced to extended terms of imprisonment.
Typically, first degree crimes are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. However, those convicted of carjacking offenses are subject to a sentencing range from 10 to 30 years. Carjacking is also an enumerated crime under the No Early Release Act (“NERA”), which requires an individual to serve 85% of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.
Police are continuing their investigation of the December 29th incident and request that any and all information be forwarded to Detective Dave Tanis or Detective Francisco Brito, both of whom can be reached at (973) 321-1342.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Paterson man charged with attempted murder for shooting carjacking victim, police say
