After public outcry in Morristown, accused gunman ordered to undergo psychological evaluation

Police car sits outside the Hyatt at Headquarters Plaza on Wednesday. Patrols have been stepped up since a man allegedly toting guns was arrested inside the complex on the morning of July 29, 2015. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Police car sits outside the Hyatt at Headquarters Plaza on Wednesday. Patrols have been stepped up since a man allegedly toting guns was arrested inside the complex on the morning of July 29, 2015. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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By Kevin Coughlin

The Somerset County man freed on bail after being accused of bringing semi-automatic handguns and hollow-point bullets into Morristown’s Headquarters Plaza last month has been ordered to undergo a “psychological evaluation.”

Police car sits outside the Hyatt at Headquarters Plaza on Wednesday. Patrols have been stepped up since a man allegedly toting guns was arrested inside the complex on the morning of July 29, 2015. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Police car outside the Hyatt at Headquarters Plaza soon after a man allegedly toting guns was arrested inside the complex on the morning of July 29, 2015. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Andrew Pfitzenmayer, 26, of Peapack-Gladstone, was released on $100,000 bail earlier this month without such an evaluation, sparking outrage from a local mothers group and calls for special legislation from Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty.

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office — which had argued unsuccessfully in court for such an evaluation — announced on Tuesday that it has entered into an agreement with Pfitzenmayer’s attorney, Frank Pisano, for the defendant to undergo an examination at his own expense.

Prosecutor Fredric Knapp’s office must approve the professional conducting the exam, and findings must be reported to him and to Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor, who approved the agreement after initially declining to require the evaluation as a condition of bail.

“This is excellent news,” said a spokesperson for Morristown Moms and Tots and More (MATAM), a 300-member group that sent emails to authorities demanding an evaluation.

The spokesperson expressed hopes that the evaluation will be completed before Pfitzenmayer’s scheduled return to court on Aug. 25, 2015.

“Obviously, time is of the essence, for his own sake, and for the community’s,” said the spokesperson, who asked to remain anonymous because of security concerns. “It would have been better to have the results before he was released on his own recognizance.”

The Prosecutor’s Office declined to elaborate on whether any deadline has been set for the exam, or to discuss any other details of the agreement.

“We’re thrilled they worked it out. This will put the public more at ease when the results come out,” said Mayor Dougherty.

Pfitzenmayer, whose social media profile said he was CEO of an event planning business and a volunteer fireman in Far Hills-Bedminster, was carrying a backpack with two Glock semi-automatic pistols, illegal hollow-point bullets, handcuffs, an expandable baton and a fake badge when he was arrested on the morning of July 29, 2015, according to authorities.

He was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of hollow point bullets.

All prior bail conditions remain in place, the Prosecutor’s Office said on Tuesday. Pfitzenmayer was required to surrender his passport and forfeit his weapons.

Additionally, he cannot return to Headquarters Plaza or have contact with its tenants or patrons, or have contact with any federal, state or local law enforcement agency without a legitimate public safety reason, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Morris County Sheriff Ed Rochford said his office received 64 emails from the public requesting a psychiatric evaluation of Pfitzenmayer.  The Sheriff said he concurred with the citizens and forwarded the messages to the Superior Court in Morristown.

Dougherty said state Sen. Ray Lesniak and Assemblyman Jamel Holley, Democrats from the 20th Legislative District, are working on a bill he suggested that would mandate psychological evaluations when considering bail for persons arrested carrying concealed weapons in public places.

“This isn’t about gun control. It’s common-sense safety,” said the Mayor, comparing the proposal to laws against drunk driving or carrying drugs near schools.

 

 

 

 

1 COMMENT

  1. Anytime some armed-to-the-teeth nutbox threatens public safety, must we preface our comments with “this isn’t about gun control,” lest the NRA shout us down?

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