Union County officials announced that David M. Beardsley, 60, of Linden, has been served with charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief, stemming from his role in a dispute over a parking spot that took place last week.
Police say that at about 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, members of the Linden Police Department were dispatched to East Henry Street on a report of a dispute.
According to police, the victim, a 70-year-old Carteret woman, alleged that the defendant, who had left the scene prior to police arrival, called her names, poked her in the face with his finger, closed her car door on her leg, and threw her cell phone.
Police said that the following day, the victim responded to Linden Police Headquarters, at which time she further alleged that the defendant had yelled racial slurs during the incident.
Based on this new information, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office was notified and a bias incident investigation was initiated, in accordance with Attorney General Guidelines.
A comprehensive, week-long investigation was conducted by the Linden Police Department before the charges were authorized by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to police, Detectives served Beardsley with a summons detailing the charges on Thursday afternoon. The case is scheduled to be heard in Linden Municipal Court on August 17.
“The decision to file criminal charges is only made after a careful review of all the facts available,” Linden Police Chief David Hart said. “This was a thorough investigation, and I am confident that the evidence supports these charges.”
These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.