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Suspect Indicted In Lakewood Officer's Killing

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A grand jury in Ocean County on Friday indicted a man in the shooting death of a Lakewood police officer in January.

Jahmell W. Crockam
Jahmell Crockam, center, who is accused in the murder of Lakewood Police Officer Christopher Matlosz, stands next to Deputy Public Defender Frank Gonzalez, left, during an appearance before Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Jahmell Crockam was charged with shooting Officer Christopher Matlosz after the officer pulled his police cruiser alongside the 19-year-old.

The grand jury indicted Crockam on charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and also unlawful possession of a weapon.

The indictment alleges two aggravating factors that could result in Crockam being sentenced to life in prison without parole: that the murder was committed to avoid apprehension, and the victim was a public servant carrying out official duties at the time of his killing.

Crockam was being held on $5 million bail. No trial date has been set.

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(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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