New Jersey cop killer sentenced to walk free after parole board’s rare move: ‘Slap in the face’

A New York man who nearly 30 years ago admitted fatally shooting a New Jersey police officer is set to be freed in a shocking turn of events one expert called “disgusting” .

On June 26, Chung Ho, now 80, was granted parole in the Feb. 18, 1995, death of Lower Township Police Department Officer David Douglass.

David Gelman, a criminal defense attorney and former deputy district attorney, told Fox News Digital that the news of Ho’s parole was a “slap in the face” to the officer’s memory.

“It’s really disgusting. This was the first time he applied and was accepted,” Gelman said. “It’s a complete slap in the face to Officer Douglass’ family, to other officers in the department and, frankly, to New Jersey law enforcement in general.”

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Officer David Douglass was shot and killed while responding to a report of a burglary in February 1994. (Lower City Police Department)

Gelman said Ho’s parole after pleading guilty in 1995 to murder, aggravated arson and burglary sends a “terrible message” to the law enforcement community.

“If a violent criminal takes your life and then the parole board sees it and says, you know what? It doesn’t matter that this happened over 30 years ago. It doesn’t matter that there is an individual whose life was taken for no reason, but you know what we think the individual who committed this crime has changed enough,” he said. “We can release them.”

“This is an absolutely terrible message and the family of Officer Douglass should be 100 percent upset and upset, which they are,” he said.

Chung Ho, who was sentenced to life in prison for killing Officer David Douglass, will be released on parole on September 23, 2024. (New Jersey Department of Corrections)

Ho’s parole came after he fell short of serving the minimum sentence for killing Officer Douglass.

Gelman said the decision was made after a group of 12 people reached a consensus before breaking the news to Ho that he had been granted parole.

“In New Jersey, you have parole boards, and parole boards are made up of 12 people who are experts in their fields,” he said. “They need to interview the victim’s families, dependents, doctors and people in prison before reaching a conclusion.”

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“I would say it’s 50/50 whether individuals get parole,” he said. “When it comes to crimes, parole is often not granted. In fact, I don’t think it’s ever happened in the state of New Jersey that the killer of the officer was granted parole the first time.”

“And frankly, there’s kind of an unwritten rule in New Jersey, and probably a lot of other states, that killer officers usually don’t get parole, especially not the first time,” he said. “So this goes against the book on every level.”

David Gelman, a criminal lawyer, weighed in on Chung Ho’s future release after he was granted parole on his first attempt. (Fox News Digital)

Gelman pointed to New Jersey’s justice system and “completely failed” bail reform.

“New Jersey’s justice system has taken a dramatic turn over the past half decade. I would say at least 90 percent are released, and it’s not just petty crimes or drug crimes, these are people who commit violent crimes and they’re still out on the streets in less than 24 hours.”

“So it’s normal, if you look at it, for a parole board to take the same stance for those who have committed extremely violent crimes.”

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Gelman said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has “exasperated the criminal justice system.”

“The criminal justice system here in our state is completely flawed, and a lot of it has to do with New Jersey politics,” he said. “Our governor, Governor Murphy, has really exasperated the criminal justice system and made it much easier for criminals not only to commit crimes, but to get very lenient sentences and get off almost scot-free.”

He said criminals know New Jersey’s justice system is lenient, which has led to an increase in crime in the Garden State.

“Our offense in New Jersey has grown substantially over the last half dozen years or so. And, you know, that’s not a coincidence,” Gelman said.

A group of police officers honored Officer David Douglass at a memorial for the fallen officer in February 2024. (Lower City Police Department)

On February 18, 1994, Officer Douglass was called to the scene of a suspected burglary and engaged in a foot chase against the suspect, Ho, who had just set fire to a house.

When the man turned and shot him. Douglass responded, punching the suspect in the hand. He was able to return to the patrol car to call for assistance, but died shortly thereafter.

Ho was sentenced to 30 years to life in 1995 after pleading guilty. Now Ho, who is 80, is up for parole and will be released in September 2024.

On February 18, 2024, the Lower Township Police Department remembered Officer David Douglass’ lifetime of community service. (Lower City Police Department)

On February 18, 2024, the Lower Township Police Department commemorated the 30th anniversary of the death of Officer Douglass.

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“Let’s not forget his efforts, let’s not forget his name and please let’s not forget his family,” the department said.

A spokesman for Gov. Phil Murphy did not respond to Fox News Digital.