Keansburg Man Tried To Strangle His Fiancee, Prosecutor Says

ASBURY PARK, NJ — A Keansburg man was found guilty Tuesday of strangling a woman who was his fiancee and mother of his son. The woman did not die.

Jaself Brown, 35, of Keansburg, was found guilty of aggravated assault by strangulation of a victim of domestic violence. He was found guilty after a five-day trial before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Marc C. LeMieux.

On October 18, 2019, Brown's fiancee dropped him off at his mother's home on Sewell Avenue in Asbury Park. While in the car, the two became embroiled in a verbal argument, which became heated. Brown then moved to the driver's side door of the car and strangled his fiancee while she was sitting in the driver's seat, said the prosecutor.

As other family members intervened to stop the assault, Monmouth County Sheriff's Officer David Lasko, who was on patrol in the area, responded to the scene.

Officer Lasko grabbed Brown, who refused the officer's commands to release the woman's neck, said police. The officer radioed for assistance as he struggled with Brown.

"Thanks to Officer Lasko's efforts, the victim managed to break free of Brown and escape the vehicle through the passenger-side door," said the prosecutor's office in a statement. "(Brown) continued to struggle with the officer and eventually dove out the passenger-side door of the vehicle with the officer in tow."

Once outside the vehicle, Officer Lasko, with assistance from Asbury Park Officer Robert Champoullion and other Asbury Park officers, managed to place Brown under arrest.

Officer Lasko suffered minor injuries in the struggle and responded to Jersey Shore Medical Center for treatment, while Officer Michael Treadway of the Asbury Park Police Department completed the investigation.

At the time of his arrest, Brown was already on probation following a prior criminal conviction. Prior to trial, he pled guilty to violating his probation.

He will be sentenced August 13. Due to his criminal record, Brown faces up to 10 years in New Jersey state prison for this crime.

The guilty verdict was announced by Monmouth County's brand-new acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey, who was sworn into the county's top law enforcement job on June 1.

Linskey took over after Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni resigned this spring after he held the job for ten years; Gramiccioni was originally appointed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

He and his wife, New Jersey Superior Court Judge Deborah Gramiccioni, both resigned from their jobs to start a boutique law firm together. Gramiccioni's wife stepped down from her job as a Superior Court judge to start the law firm with her husband.

Know more: Outgoing Monmouth Prosecutor Resigns, Launches 'Boutique Law Firm'
Monmouth Co. Swears In First-Ever Female Acting Prosecutor (June 4)

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