SOMERVILLE – A Bernardsville man accused of asking police to kill him after he assaulted a woman and used a male friend as a human shield during a 2016 standoff with police pleaded guilty to several counts on Friday, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced in a news release on Tuesday.
James Tyrone (Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office)
James Tyrone, 47, plead guilty to second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault, fourth-degree aggravated assault (three counts), third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree criminal restraint (two counts) and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Under a plea agreement, Tyrone will be sentenced to seven years in state prison, and must serve 85 percent of that time before being eligible for parole.
Judge Robert B. Reed set March 24 as the sentencing date.
On May 8, 2016, at approximately 2:09 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding an assault in progress at an Old Wood Road residence, it was previously reported.
Police found a 42-year-old woman bleeding from a head wound. An investigation revealed that Tyrone had become angry and assaulted her in a room inside the residence before retrieving a handgun and threatening to kill her, according to a news release.
The woman was able to escape the room, but Tyrone chased her while brandishing the handgun. After fleeing the residence, she entered her vehicle and while attempting to leave, Tyrone struck the front passenger window with the gun and again threatened to kill her, according to police.
The victim exited her vehicle while calling 9-1-1. Tyrone grabbed her phone, threw it to the ground and then struck her in the head with the handgun, according to a news release.
Tyrone fled back into the house while the woman remained outside. Tyrone grabbed a 39-year-old man, who was a friend visiting him, and used him as a human shield while pointing the gun at two responding officers and his friend, police said.
Tyrone asked officers to kill him as he continued to threaten to shoot his friend and then himself. His friend was able to grab the handgun, a loaded 9mm Walther P99, away from Tyrone and police were able to secure the gun and arrest Tyrone, authorities stated.
Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson commended responding officers Bernardsville Police Sergeant Jon-Paul Tay and Patrolman Robert Schlittler.
“These two officers were put in the most stressful situation an officer can face, an individual pointing a gun at them, and they are both to be commended for their actions and professionalism in bringing this incident to a peaceful conclusion,” Robertson said. “It is an example of all the great work that police officers do each and every day to protect our community, and I thank them for their service.”
The state was represented by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Robert J. Hawkes.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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