The case of Amit Bornstein’s death is closed at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Bornstein, 22, of Marlboro, was arrested on July 29 by officers from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for failure to appear in Superior Court concerning a matter in which he was involved.
Bornstein was initially transported to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, for processing. Several hours after he was taken into custody, Bornstein was pronounced dead at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.
Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. told Greater Media Newspapers this week that the prosecutor’s office closed its investigation after no probable cause for criminal charges against any individual was found.
The matter has been referred back to the office of Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden for administrative review, he said.
Warshaw said a change in Bornstein’s behavior occurred after a comment was made by an unnamed individual that his (Bornstein’s) younger sibling might be placed with the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.
The acting prosecutor said Bornstein became very upset upon hearing that comment and he said the issue with his behavior ensued from there.
Published reports have stated that after Bornstein became upset, corrections officers had to restrain him. He died later that day.
Bornstein’s family organized a rally in downtown Freehold Borough this past fall at which they displayed photos of a body that showed lacerations and severe bruising.
Family members expressed their belief that the use of excessive force by the corrections officers while they had Bornstein in their custody precipitated his death.
An email sent to attorney David Katz, who represents the Bornstein family, seeking comment on the matter was not returned.
— Rebecca Morton