A Trenton man who allegedly sold deadly drugs on Atlantic City's streets will stay in jail pending outcome of the case, a judge ruled Thursday.
"Frankly, this isn't even a close call," Superior Court Judge Benjamin Podolnick said as he ordered Jonathan Porter held.
Porter, 27, already had 19 open charges when he was charged with strict liability homicide in the deaths of 31-year-old Tuan Tran and 52-year-old David Hinkley, Podolnick noted in his decision.
The drugs were stamped with "Zombie," according to information said in court.
A Trenton man is charged in the drug-related deaths of two men from drugs he distributed in Atlantic City, the prosecutor said. Jonathan Porter, 27, is jailed on two counts of strict liability homicide in the Sept. 24 death of Tuan Tran, 31, in Galloway Township, and the Oct. 19 death of 52-year-old...
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Porter was set to be freed on prior charges that were holding him because time had run out for him to be tried under the Speedy Trial Act, the judge noted. But he will now stay jailed on the new charges, "and therefore, the clock begins anew," Podolnick said.
"Between May and November, this defendant engaged in the distribution of heroin," the judge said, adding that at least to of those sales allegedly proved deadly.
Porter was hoping to get out pending his case so he could see his 4-month-old daughter for the first time, defense attorney Christina Naughton said.
"While the court is not unsympathetic" that Porter hasn't see the infant, Podolnick said, "Perhaps he should have thought of that before getting involved in these criminal activities.
