A New Jersey mother made news recently when state courts convicted Heather Reynolds of murder for killing her 1-year-old son. Local police in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, responded to an emergency call of an unresponsive child on the front lawn on May 10, 2018.
What Happened
When first responders arrived, they found that 17-month-old Axel Reynolds had died of asphyxia. The convicted offender, Reynolds, tried to assure first responders that she hadn’t done anything wrong. The first responders recognized this as a red flag and alerted the local authority of it.
Upon further investigation, they found alcohol and isopropyl alcohol in the baby’s body. Local police also reviewed Reynold's text messages with her boyfriend from the night before the murder. She appeared frustrated by his lack of interest. People close to both the defendant and the boyfriend also mentioned that Reynold’s strongly felt that her toddler son was an obstacle to her relationship and his interest in her.
The case became even more in-depth as the trial went on. The defendant’s husband, Joseph Reynolds, died a few months after the death of their son. The investigators also found evidence that Reynold and her boyfriend, Jeffrey Callahan, conspired to pay someone to kill another, separate man. This other man was one of Heather Reynold’s prior boyfriends. Callahan and Reynold’s attempted to hire someone for $25,000 to murder the ex-boyfriend. However, they decided to wait until the murder case of Reynold’s son was over.
Callahan had a prior record with four felony charges. At the time of his arrest, he was currently out on probation for criminal stalking. Ultimately, Heather Reynolds was convicted of murdering her 1-year-old son, possession of Methamphetamine, and the endangerment of a child.
Murder Charges in New Jersey
Murder charges in New Jersey are charged based on the degree of murder. First-degree murder, which is the intentional planning of murder like this offender did, can lead to between 30 years to life in prison. Certain circumstances, like killing a child under the age of 14 years, such as in this case, lead to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Possession of Methamphetamine Charges in New Jersey
The possession of Methamphetamine charges in New Jersey are also severe, often leading to fines of up to $35,000. Charges, however, depend on the amount in possession, the offender's location, and if the person was using them personally or distributing the drugs.
Endangerment of a Child Charges in New Jersey
Endangerment of a child in New Jersey often leads to legal fines up to $10,000, a maximum of 18 months in prison, mandatory extended probation, and permanent felony charges.
Each of these charges is issued separately, meaning a convicted offender can’t typically serve them concurrently. This leads to longer prison time and more expensive fines. If you’re being charged with murder or possession of drug charges, it’s crucial that you explore your options before it’s too late. Both of these crimes can lead to extended jail time and even life in prison.
Even endangerment of a child charge can require that you spend time in jail. A permanent felony on your record will also limit your employment options.
Contact an Experienced Princeton Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Murder Charges in East Windsor
Were you arrested or charged with a murder in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at the Davis Law Firm, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with murder in Princeton, East Windsor, West Windsor, Hopewell, and throughout New Jersey. Call (609) 498-7722 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Disorderly conduct consists of any improper behavior such as fighting, threats of violence, or creating a dangerous atmosphere.
