Cranford fatal hit and run: Attorney accuses driver of stalking teen girl before hitting, killing her with his car in NJ
The lawyer of a victim's family is speaking out after two teenage girls were fatally run down in Cranford , New Jersey.
The lawyer detailed allegations of stalking and swatting by the suspect in the weeks leading up to the attack, and claimed inaction by police may have played a role in this tragedy.
The Niotis family shared with their attorney, a clip of their daughter Maria. It's a happy moment shared with her twin brother George, capturing birthday well wishes from family and friends.
Attorney Brent Bramnick says the family has so many unanswered questions that they want, and they need answered.
They believe not enough was done to protect their daughter from the 17-year-old former classmate, now accused of first-degree murder in the deaths of Maria and her best friend Isabella Salas. He says the suspect began stalking Maria back in March.
"They started reporting the behavior that she has talked about. This harassing behavior, and this was reported," Bramnick said.
Bramnick says twice within a two-week span in September, the suspect pulled swatting calls on the family's Burnside Avenue home. Police sent several officers. The second time, Maria's mother answered the door.
Bramnick says that when she begins to talk to police, she sees the juvenile defendant parked in his car on their street.
"The father is going to make sure he gets home, that's what she's being told. And he's going straight home. From what we have today, there is no evidence to show us that anything was investigated."
One more memorial was held recently for the two best friends. The Niotis family is after all evidence of how police handled the suspect's actions in investigating their months of complaints.
"Body cameras, because the police have body camera. Try to obtain dash cameras, these cars have dash cameras. Neighborhoods have doorbell cameras. Frankly, everything these days is being recorded," Bramnick said.
Their complaints are in the early stages right now, so no one, and no agency has been named.
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