Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Clark J. Thomas, 82 years old, from Paterson,, was arrested on Wednesday in relation to an investigation into a shooting that took place earlier that day in the area of Lyon Street in Paterson.
Police say Mr. Thomas is charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree, and Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree.
According to police on December 19, members of the Paterson Police Department responded to the area of Lyon Street in Paterson, on a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located a 58-year old Paterson resident who had sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound.
The victim was immediately transported to Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson for treatment police said.
Based on the investigation Mr. Thomas was identified as the shooter and arrested on scene.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Thomas on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of those terms to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
Mr. Thomas is currently in the custody of the Passaic County Jail. The State intends to file a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.