ONLY ON CVP: An Englewood ex-con facing new charges of domestic violence against his girlfriend could go to prison for up to 13 years if convicted at a trial, an assistant Bergen County prosecutor said.
Derrick Smalls, 37, has rap sheet that stretches back nearly 20 years and includes more than two dozen offenses ranging from assault, eluding and obstruction to drug, forgery and theft charges, records show.
He narrowly avoided prison on a previous indictment by accepting a plea to a disorderly persons offense for injuring the same woman. Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Vered Adoni said yesterday. Six months later, Smalls assaulted her again while on parole, she said.
“He split her head open in two places,” Adoni told Superior Court Judge Edward A. Jerejian. “We have photos and medical records showing the stitches and staples needed to close the wounds.”
“Where did the assault occur?” the judge asked.
“In her apartment,” Adoni replied.
She said Smalls also “made contact with the victim in violation of a restraining order,” for which he was charged.
Jerejian said a trial date will be set next month.
STORY / PHOTOS: Mary K. Miraglia, CLIFFVIEW PILOT Courthouse Reporter