A Monmouth County grand jury has returned a six-count indictment charging a Sayreville man with attempted murder and bias intimidation, among other charges. The charges stem from the beating of a Freehold Township resident in May, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
Jamil S. Hubbard, 25, is charged with first degree attempted murder, first degree bias intimidation, first degree armed robbery, fourth degree possession of a weapon (a motor vehicle) for an unlawful purpose, third degree theft of movable property and second degree eluding police in connection with the May 1 attack on Jerry Wolkowitz, 55, of Freehold Township.
The assault occurred in the parking lot of Wolkowitz’s Harding Road residence, according to Gramiccioni.
On May 1 at 7:15 a.m., Freehold Township police were dispatched to a Harding Road apartment complex. Responding officers observed Wolkowitz lying in the parking lot area with injuries to his head and body.
Wolkowitz remained in critical condition at a local hospital as of July 11, according to the prosecutor.
An investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Freehold Township Police Department revealed that Hubbard allegedly approached Wolkowitz from behind and used his fists to hit Wolkowitz on his head and face, before dragging him into the parking lot.
Hubbard then allegedly drove his own motor vehicle over Wolkowitz. Hubbard then stole Wolkowitz’s car, which was later discovered abandoned on Bordentown Avenue in Sayreville.
Hubbard was apprehended at his home later that same day by members of the Sayreville Police Department. He has remained detained in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, since May 1, according to Gramiccioni.
The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to keep Hubbard in jail without an opportunity for release pending trial. A detention hearing scheduled for July 12 did not take place and was tentatively rescheduled for Sept. 28, according to the prosecutor. Senior Litigation Counsel Maria Franceschini and Assistant Prosecutor Keri Schaefer are handling the case.
Gramiccioni said the investigation determined Hubbard did not know or have any previous contact with Wolkowitz prior to the May 1 attack.
According to the indictment, the grand jurors allege Hubbard committed the crime of bias intimidation … “with a purpose to intimidate Wolkowitz, because of Wolkowitz’s race or color, and/or knowing the conduct constituting the offense would cause an individual or group of individuals to be intimidated because of race or color,” contrary to state law.
Wolkowitz is white and Hubbard is black. Wolkowitz is a freelance photographer who previously worked for the “News Transcript.” He is a longtime member of the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad.