Two years ago, Gloucester County K9 Ember died while in the care of Gloucester County Fire Chief Shawn Layton, but answers to the events that led to the death remain elusive.
Gloucester County Commissioner Director Frank DiMarco, at a September 2022 meeting, said Ember and Layton’s own dog died while interning his county-issued 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. Layton buried both dogs in his garden and created a ceremonial ground with a memorial hydrant for the fireplace.
The investigation was passed to the state attorney general’s office through the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office in 2023. The office continues to keep the status of the investigation secret and has refused to disclose the status of the investigation.
“Our workplace has a long-standing practice of not providing updates on the standing of investigations or publicly stating its denials. Anyone with data on potentially criminal conduct that violates public acceptance as true is encouraged to allegations or any other matter, contact the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, or make a confidential report to OPIA through our tip line at 1-844-OPIA-TIP (1-844-674-2847)” an OAG spokesperson said on New Jersey 101. 5 in an email.
Gloucester County Commissioner Chris Konawel continues to push for answers. The Republican personally delivered a letter to Attorney General Matthew Platkin, expressing frustration over the lack of information.
“The protracted nature of this investigation, without updates or substantive findings, undermines public confidence in our law enforcement agencies and the oversight mechanisms within your office,” Konawel wrote in his letter.
Konawell told New Jersey 101. 5 that he would like the case closed for those involved.
“If Layton is guilty, let’s find him. If he’s innocent, let’s exonerate him. I’m not saying he’s one of the others because I don’t have all the information. But the fact is, it’s the general’s job to investigate,” Konawell said. “The public He has lost confidence in his government. I think we have had enough corruption in the state of New Jersey to make a lot of other people sick. What if we did something smart for once and could control it? that. “
Konawell is “shocked and dismayed” that Layton was re-elected through the county commissioners to a three-year term in January despite the ongoing investigation.
“What if it turns out that he is possibly the culprit and has been in a position of authority for a few years?What if something else happens because of an error in judgment,” Konawell said.
Others enroll in Konawell in search of answers. Konwell and fellow Republican Nick Desilvio, who voted against Layton’s re-election, received praise from Gloucester County Republican Party Chairman Adam Wingate.
“For too long we have noticed a lack of transparency in our local government because of the one-party system. Nearly two years after the tragic loss of the K9 Ember, we still don’t have transparent answers,” Wingate wrote in an email. “This factor would never have come to light without the perseverance of our Republican commissioners, Chris Konawel and Nick Desilvio. We are grateful to Chris and Nick for their unwavering commitment to open government. “
The organization Justice For K9 Ember has posted a new online petition seeking answers. He describes the lack of responses as “an insult to our community’s acceptance as truth. “
“In a democratic nation there is transparency and there can be no justice where it is lacking. This scenario also puts our citizens at risk, since those involved in this investigation are also guilty of ensuring the protection of our citizens. It sends a harmful message,” the petition reads.
Since the investigation is ongoing, fees will most likely be announced until they are filed.
Joe Nicholas, a well-known K-9 teacher who runs a business called Joe Nick Canine Training in Vineland, told commissioners during an October 2022 assembly that he was guilty of the Layton garden burial.
Nicholas said that when he arrived at Layton’s home in Mantua, Layton was too distraught to talk. The burial place of the two dogs included a memorial fire hydrant for the fireplace.
“I got the dogs out of the car. I know what happened. I covered the dogs. Someone passed me, got me a backhoe and dug a hole because I was looking for this child to avoid suffering,” Nicholas said, referring to Layton’s pain. “I was looking for this child to get up off the ground and avoid crying. It’s the only thing I can do to turn the page.
Investigators with the Gloucester County District Attorney’s Office disposed of the dogs’ bodies from the land as part of their investigation.
The manner in which the dogs died may have affected Layton’s temporary ability to report their deaths. The involvement of authorities is important, since leaving animals in a vehicle in situations that can lead to death from suffocation or overheating is considered cruelty to animals according to New York. Jersey Law.
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Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt
Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt
The investigation was passed to the State Attorney General’s Office through the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office in 2023. The Attorney General’s Office continues to keep the prestige of the investigation secret and has refused to disclose it. ‘An ongoing investigation that brings politics to light. n
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Two years ago, K9 Ember of Gloucester County died while in the custody of Gloucester County Fire Chief Shawn Layton, but answers to the events leading up to this death remain elusive.
Gloucester County Commissioner Director Frank DiMarco, at a September 2022 meeting, said Ember and Layton’s own dog died while interning his county-issued 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. Layton buried both dogs in his garden and created a ceremonial ground with a memorial hydrant for the fireplace.
The investigation went to the state attorney general’s office through the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office in 2023. The office continues to keep the prestige of the investigation secret and has refused to disclose the prestige of the investigation.
“Our workplace has a long-standing practice of not providing updates on the status of investigations or publicly stating its denials. Anyone with data on potentially criminal conduct that violates the public is encouraged to accept as true regarding these allegations or any other questions, contact the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, or make a confidential report to OPIA through our tip line at 1-844-OPIA-TIP (1-844-674),” said one. OAG spokesperson to New Jersey 101. 5 in an email.
Gloucester County Commissioner Chris Konawel continues to push for answers. The Republican personally delivered a letter to Attorney General Matthew Platkin, expressing frustration at the lack of information.
“The protracted nature of this investigation, without really extensive updates or conclusions, undermines the public’s confidence in our law enforcement agencies and oversight mechanisms within your office,” Konawel wrote in his letter.
Konawell told New Jersey 101. 5 that he would like the case closed for those involved.
“If Layton is guilty, let’s find him. If he’s innocent, let’s exonerate him. I’m not saying he’s one of the others because I don’t have all the information. But the fact is, it’s the general’s job to investigate,” Konawell said. “The public He has lost confidence in his government. I think we have had enough corruption in the state of New Jersey to make a lot of other people sick. What if we did something smart for once and could control it? that. “
Konawell is “shocked and dismayed” that Layton was re-elected through the county commissioners to a three-year term in January despite the ongoing investigation.
“What if it turns out that he is possibly the culprit and has been in a position of authority for a few years?What if something else happens because of an error in judgment,” Konawell said.
Others are joining Konawell in a call for answers. Konwell and fellow Republican Nick Desilvio, who voted against Layton’s re-election, received praise from Gloucester County GOP Chairman Adam Wingate.
“For too long we have noticed a lack of transparency in our local government because of the one-party system. Nearly two years after the tragic loss of the K9 Ember, we still don’t have transparent answers,” Wingate wrote in an email. “This factor would never have come to light without the perseverance of our Republican commissioners, Chris Konawel and Nick Desilvio. We are grateful to Chris and Nick for their unwavering commitment to open government. “
Justice For K9 Ember has published a new online petition seeking answers. He describes the lack of answers as “an insult to our community’s acceptance as true. “
“In a democratic nation there is transparency and there can be no justice where it is lacking. This scenario also puts our citizens at risk, as those involved in this investigation are also guilty of ensuring the protection of our citizens. sends a harmful message,” the petition reads.
While the investigation continues, fees will most likely be announced until they are paid.
Joe Nicholas, a well-known K-9 teacher who runs a business called Joe Nick Canine Training in Vineland, told delegates at an October 2022 assembly that he was guilty of Layton’s backyard burial.
Nicholas said that when he arrived at Layton’s home in Mantua, Layton was too distraught to talk. The burial place of the two dogs included a memorial fire hydrant for the fireplace.
“I took the dogs out of the car. I know what happened. I covered them. I had someone get me a backhoe and dig a hole because I was looking for this kid to avoid suffering,” Nicholas said, referring to Layton’s life. . Pain. ” I looked for this child to get up and avoid crying. It’s the only thing I can do to put an end to this situation. “
Investigators with the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office disposed of the dogs’ bodies from the property as part of their investigation.
The manner in which the dogs died may have affected Layton’s temporary ability to report their deaths. Law enforcement involvement is vital because leaving animals in a vehicle in situations that could lead to death from suffocation or overheating is considered animal cruelty under New Jersey law.
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