Former EHT Cop Opposes Clemency Bid By Man Who Shot Her

One of the Egg Harbor Township Police officers whom Christopher Blank shot during a traffic stop in 2006 is asking for help opposing Blank's bid for clemency, the latest appeal attempt of his 85-year conviction for the crime.

A Look Back at the Night in Question

According to the police report and articles about this case in 2006, here is a look at what police say happened that night.

Blank was a passenger in a car driven by his girlfriend on July 13, 2006, when Egg Harbor Township Officer Christopher Leary stopped the vehicle.

When Leary learned Blank was wanted on a warrant for theft, he called for backup, and Officer Clear Costantino responded.

When Leary tried to handcuff Blank, he broke free, and the officers gave chase. Blank struggled with the cops.

He pulled the gun from Costantino's holster and shot the officer in the abdomen and thigh. Another round grazed her left leg.

He shot Leary in the chest, but the officer's bulletproof vest protected him from serious injury. Costantino, who also wore a vest, wasn't as lucky and required surgery for her injuries.

Egg Harbor Township Policeman William Loder confronted Blank a short time later and ordered him to drop the gun.

Blank fired at the officer instead, but missed. Loder returned fire and wounded Blank in the arm.

Blank was captured hours later with the help of a police K-9.

He began "fighting and punching the dog," according to court testimony..

Blank Was Convicted & Began Repeated Appeals

In 2008, an Atlantic County jury found Blank guilty of attempted murder and other charges, and he was sentenced to 85 years in prison.

Christopher Blank, 46, has appealed his conviction many times since then, including a 2018 appeal in federal court after his appeals in state court failed.

A federal district court rejected Blank's appeal, and that left him facing prison until 2078, shortly after his 100th birthday.

Now, Christopher Blank is hoping that Gov. Murphy will grant him clemency and has an online campaign called 'Free Chris Blank', advocating for his release.

Blank says the Egg Harbor Township police officers involved in his case "overreacted, and he only fought back while 'desperately defending himself' from police brutality.

He claims he didn't get a fair trial in 2008 because 9 of the 12 jurors were related to law enforcement officers.

Former Officer Urges People to Reject Clemency Bid

During Christopher Blank's trial, Clear Costantino, who left the police department after the shooting, urged the judge to hand down the maximum penalty.

She thinks Blank is now trying to use the system to be released or have his sentence reduced, and has never shown any remorse for his actions.

Costantino believes the "Free Chris Black" campaign is particularly disturbing and is spreading misinformation and blatant fabrications about what happened the night she was shot.

She is leading a letter-writing movement to ask the governor to reject Blank's request for clemency.

Friends, I am asking for your help. I have recently learned that the man who shot me, another officer and at other officers has submitted and application for clemency to the governor. I was given 30 days to provide any comments or information I believe should be considered in the petition presented to the Governor at the time a decision is rendered.

 

This is where I need your help. I am asking friends family and fellow law enforcement officers to submit a letter to the NJ State Parole Board and or Governor Murphy in opposition of Christopher Blank’s request for Executive Clemency-via a Commutation of Sentence to the Governor.

The New Jersey Constitution gives the governor the power to grant clemency to individuals who have been convicted of a crime under state law.

Clemency could mean that a person receives a pardon or that their criminal sentence is commuted so that it is less severe.

Murphy is expected to make a decision later this year.