A Gloucester County man arrested after he allegedly fled Atlantic City police with a loaded handgun was ordered held in jail Tuesday.
But it was Quadry Wise's appearance at his detention hearing that raised a separate issue.
The 29-year-old Washington Township man's left eye was swollen shut and he had a bandage around his head.
"When we met with Mr. Wise on Friday, he did not look like this," defense attorney Kevin Moses told the judge. Saying that it "occurred over the weekend."
The injuries were from a fight with another inmate, BreakingAC has learned.
"He obviously was the victim of an assault in the county jail," Judge Pam D'Arcy said. "I’m sure his counselor is going to look into that as to what happened."
An investigation was conducted and it was found to be "an inmate on inmate altercation," Atlantic County spokeswoman Linda Gilmore said. "The inmates have been placed in separate cells."
Wise was given a chance at his detention hearing to explain what happened, but instead focused more on the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
"I swear, I know I got in trouble for what I got in trouble for, your honor," he said. "But I'm telling you, I never did anything but stand. I was just standing."
He then said he did run away because he was scared.
"They pulled up in two seconds and just jumped out the car," he explained. "What are you gonna do if somebody pulls up and jumps ... I'm scared. I just ran."
His attorney said that Wise did not match the description of the person a tipster described to police as being armed.
Wise was found with a gun in his pants loaded with 16 round of hollow-point bullets, according to the charges.
He did not touch on the gun when he address the court.
Wise did deny throwing a satchel that allegedly had about $2,000 in cash and 58 grams of marijuana packaged for distribution, along with advertising materials.
"It was on the side of my shoulder," he said. "That's how you carry the bag."
Wise then touched on his injuries, but did not offer any information on how they occurred.
"Your honor, I'm telling you, I just got beat to the pulp," he said. "My ribs are bruised, my tooth is broke, my eye is swollen.
"I got so many lumps on my head, it looks so bad. I can't even tell who I really am," he said, as he started to cry. "I never wanted to ever feel like this a day in my life. I just want to get home to my family."
Wise pointed out that he had never missed court, and begged the judge to let him out, even on house arrest.
He also added, "I'm not in a gang or nothing."
But his lengthy criminal history and the recommendation by the public safety assessment to have him held weighed more heavily in the judge's decision.
The assessment is used under bail reform to help determine if a defendant should be held pre-trial.
Wise was released from prison Nov. 19, 2020, after serving a four-year sentence on charges that included aggravated assault, heroin possession and theft, according to state Department of Corrections records.
D'Arcy also questioned the defense's portrayal that Wise was merely looking to have a day at the beach.
"Does he go to the beach with a handgun with a loaded, extended magazine?" the judge said. "That seems to not make sense to the court."
She noted that Wise faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted, which could be an incentive not to show up to court.
Wise will now remain in the Atlantic County Justice Facility until his case is resolved.
