Appeal Likely After NJ Man Gets Only 5 Years For Shooting at Troopers, Girlfriend

The State is likely to appeal the relatively light sentencing of a man from Weymouth Township who shot at his girlfriend and state troopers in 2020.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office says on Wednesday, 31-year-old James Weinerman was sentenced to five years in state prison on two counts of second-degree aggravated assault.

Weinerman’s original plea agreement, taken by the court this past November, called for an eight-year sentence, however, over the State's objection, the court deviated from that agreement and sentenced Weinerman to a shorter term.

Authorities say on Saturday, September 12th, 2020, state troopers were called to 33 South Jersey Avenue in Weymouth Twp. for a report of a domestic dispute.

After speaking with Weinerman’s girlfriend, police learned that earlier in the day, a verbal argument escalated to the point where Weinerman wouldn’t let her and her children leave the residence. Weinerman commented that nobody was going to be able to leave when he shot the engine block of her car. He then fired a single round from a long gun, striking the front of the victim’s car while she was within 10 feet of it.

Weinerman then barricaded himself inside his home with several guns, eventually prompting the State Police to deploy two armored vehicles.

A short time later, police say Weinerman fired several rounds out of an open backdoor toward one of the armored vehicles, which had ten state troopers around it, causing them to retreat.

After several hours of negotiations, Weinerman agreed to exit the residence and surrender to law enforcement. During his apprehension, Weinerman forcefully resisted arrest, prompting K-9 deployment and a subsequent bite when police attempted to handcuff him.

As currently sentenced, Weinerman only needs to serve 85 percent of his term before becoming eligible for parole, which means he could be released from prison in just over four years.