In a controversial move, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey granted a pardon to the son of his legal advisor just hours before a jury convicted the young man of a deadly hit-and-run incident. The pardon was part of a larger batch of 97 pardons issued by the Democratic governor on Tuesday.
The individual in question, Harris Jacobs, was exonerated shortly before a jury found him guilty of striking and killing 76-year-old Orlando Fraga with his vehicle in September 2022. The incident occurred in Atlantic City, a location known for its bustling nightlife.
Jacobs, the son of influential attorney Joe Jacobs, who is well-connected in Atlantic City’s political circles, hit Fraga around 3:30 a.m. According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, surveillance footage captured Jacobs stepping out of his vehicle, approaching the fallen victim, and bending down over him twice.
After this brief interaction, Jacobs returned to his car and left the scene at high speed, leaving Fraga to succumb to his injuries there on the road.
Rather than alerting the authorities, Harris Jacobs reportedly made a series of phone calls to his father, dialing him 10 times, as detailed during testimony covered by BreakingAC.
Instead of calling the police, Harris phoned his lawyer father 10 times, according to testimony reported by BreakingAC.
About seven hours later, he was arrested and charged with second-degree knowingly leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident. He was initially jailed, but later released pending his trial.
His first trial ended in a mistrial in May after the jury was unable to make a unanimous decision. This time they opted to convict – but Murphy’s pardon means there will be no justice for Fraga or his family.
Former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy pardoned his friend Joe Jacobs’ son, Harris Jacobs, on the same day the 28-year-old was found guilty of killing Orlando Fraga, 76, in a hit-and-run. (Pictured: Murphy and Joe Jacobs)
Instead of calling the police, Harris phoned his lawyer father 10 times. He then walked over to Fraga’s body and looked at it in the middle of the street before fleeing the scene
Fraga was pronounced dead at the scene on September 4, 2022. Fraga leaves behind his son, grandchildren, three sisters, a brother, and countless other loved ones
Lou Barbone, Harris’s attorney, told the Daily Mail his client did all that he could to help Fraga that morning.
‘The accident was a tragic no escape impact in light of the pedestrian walking into the lane of travel at a construction site area,’ he said.
‘There was nothing Harris could do to avoid the accident.’
Barbone said Harris ‘checked his pulse, made sure a bystander was calling 911 and checked the victim again, realizing he had expired.’
It was in that moment that Harris suffered an ’emotional trigger,’ leading him to drive away from the scene.
According to Barbone, his client was informed by the state attorney that a pardon would be granted at 7:30 a.m. The pardon was officially issued at 8.30am by Murphy.
Barbone told the Daily Mail ‘we did not have it by the time the jury announced it had a verdict at 10am.’
Because the conviction came in, Harris’s legal team is working to vacate it ‘based on proof the pardon was granted prior to the jury’s verdict,’ Barbone added.
His first trial ended in a mistrial in May after the jury was unable to make a unanimous decision
The conviction would have carried a mandatory sentence of five to ten years behind bars.
Before Governor Mikie Sherrill was sworn in on Tuesday afternoon, Murphy granted 97 pardons and 51 commutations of prison sentences across the state.
Harris was 45th on Murphy’s list, according to BreakingAC.
Fraga was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, and was known to his loved ones as ‘Big Cuba,’ according to his obituary.
In 1980, he moved to the US because he ‘wanted to better his life’ and seek ‘new beginnings,’ it read.
Harris was Murphy’s 45th pardon that he granted on his final day in office. The conviction would have carried a sentence of five to ten years behind bars
He resided in Atlantic City for 37 years and enjoyed many hobbies, including fishing and watching sports.
Fraga leaves behind his son, grandchildren, three sisters, a brother, and countless other loved ones.
A funeral service was held for him on September 16, 2022, the obituary stated.
The Daily Mail contacted Murphy for comment.
Murphy’s pardon of Jacobs echoes the actions of former President Joe Biden, who pre-emptively pardoned his two brothers, sister and COVID expert Dr Anthony Fauci during the final moments of his presidency.
