After years of failed appeals, a South Jersey man convicted of shooting two police officers following a traffic stop 20 years ago is seeking clemency.
Christopher H. Blank is serving 85 years in state prison after being found guilty of attempted murder and weapons charges for wounding the Egg Harbor Township police officers in 2006. The earliest he can be released is 2078.
Blank, who was 29 when he was sentenced, ran from officers arresting him over warrants during a traffic stop on the Black Horse Pike, according to prior reporting. He ran, leading to a skirmish at a nearby yard. During the fight, Blank grabbed one of the officer’s weapons, shooting both and barely missing a third officer who had responded to the scene.
A spokesperson for Egg Harbor Township police couldn’t be reached for comment.
Blank has appealed his conviction since, including one in 2018, when he sought relief through the federal court system, arguing his trial lawyer was ineffective.
An attorney listed in court records for Blank in the past declined to comment when reached by NJ Advance Media. It was unclear if the same lawyer was representing Blank in his clemency bid.
Atlantic County Prosecutor Bill Reynolds told NJ Advance Media that his office was notified about Blank’s application for a clemency hearing on April 28 from the New Jersey Parole Board. A formal objection letter from the office was sent to the state Parole Board the following day, Reynolds said.
“The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office stands united with our victim survivors and law enforcement community in strong opposition to this defendant’s application for clemency,” Reynolds said in a recent statement.
Likewise, Egg Harbor Township Committee, a recent meeting passed a resolution denounced to the clemency request while jointly submitting its own objection letter.
Under New Jersey’s constitution, the process allows the governor to pardon or commute sentences for those convicted of crimes against state law.
A spokesperson for the parole board declined to comment, citing a policy to keep clemency applications confidential.
The shooting happened overnight on June 12, 2006. One of the officers shot by Blank, Christopher Leary, pulled over Blank’s girlfriend’s car near a cemetery. During the stop, the officer learned Blank, who was a passenger, had a warrant on charges of receiving stolen property.
A second, Clear Costantino, arrived as backup. As Blank was being handcuffed, he broke free, running toward a nearby home.
The officers followed him, leading to the struggle, where Blank grabbed Costantino’s gun and shot both officers.
A third officer, William Loder, arrived, ordering Blank to drop the weapon. When he was fired on by Blank, Loder returned fire, striking Blank in the arm. Blank ran from Loder and was later captured with help from a police dog.
Blank testified during his 2008 trial he shot the officers in a panic, the Press of Atlantic City reported at the time. He was pepper sprayed and put in a headlock, resulting in him panicking and running away from the officers, he said.
Attempts to reach officers involved in the shooting and Blank’s relatives for this story were unsuccessful.
Stories by Eric Conklin
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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.