Public speakers press Middlesex County commissioners on New Brunswick officer-involved fatality, call for transparency and civilian review

County commissioners in Middlesex County opened a public-comment period in which residents, a local journalist and others urged faster, clearer action and more oversight after an officer-involved fatality in New Brunswick that resulted in the death of Deborah Terrell.

Charlie Cradwell, a reporter with New Brunswick Today, told the commissioners he had identified the officer involved as Officer Josue Plaza and said Plaza had previously received an eight-day suspension for misconduct. "There has not been a timely or transparent response from the city, from the county, or from the attorney general's office," Cradwell said, and added he wanted more than expressions of sympathy.

Commission leadership said the matter has been referred to the New…