Township officer pleads not guilty in 2012 assault
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
ROBBINSVILLE — A former Robbinsville Township police officer has plead not guilty relating to a 2012 assault and has entered a pretrial intervention program, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
In a release June 13, officials announced Sgt. Mark Lee, 45, was admitted into a pretrial intervention program requiring him to forfeit all current and future government employment.
Mr. Lee, according to the release, plead not guilty to charges of three counts of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct after an incident at Project Freedom Sept. 17, 2012, where he allegedly attacked a wheelchair bound-couple and their four-year-old son.
According to a 2012 prosecutor’s office release, officers responded to a report of an assault at a residence at Project Freedom, located on Hutchinson Road. According to witness statements, Mr. Lee allegedly followed the mother and son into the bathroom where a struggle ensued with Mr. Lee physically assaulted both individuals.
The mother and child were able to make reach the master bedroom with a caretaker and call police. Mr. Lee, however, managed to break into the room and assaulted the mother again, knocking her from her wheelchair.
During the incident, the father was confined to his wheelchair in the living room, according to the release.
After being taken into custody by his fellow township officers after the incident, Mr. Lee briefly escaped during transport by kicking out the rear window of the police vehicle and jumping out. Police subsequently subdued him after a struggle.
The release noted Mr. Lee was discovered to be suffering from a neurological disorder, resulting in a bail reduction last October, based on preliminary psychiatric reports.
His participation in the intervention program requires his “continued medical and psychiatric treatment,” per the release.
He is also prohibited from contacting the victims. Mr. Lee will be under supervision for a three year-period.