Kaheem Hunt, a former firefighter who was removed from duty after being arrested in a 2017 homicide case, asked the Paterson City Council to take up his case to be reinstated now that charges against him have been dismissed.
The killing happened in May 2017. Juan Martinez, 39, was fatally shot after a dispute involving two other men, NorthHersey.com reported. Hunt’s brother eventually was convicted of hindering apprehension and sentenced to three years in prison, and a third man, Ryan Parker, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 years. A murder charge against Hunt, meanwhile, was downgraded to hindering apprehension and eventually dismissed.
“I was charged with a crime that I did not commit,” Hunt told the council. “Charges were maliciously lodged against me.
Since the arrest Hunt has worked as an EMT for two private companies.
“I am seeking your support to be reinstated,” he said. “I truly feel if I wasn’t a black man from the city of Paterson I would have been treated much differently. There would have been a celebration, and I would have been congratulated on my vindication.”
