Early release denied for cop killer

The New Jersey Supreme Court has spoken: There will be no early release for Sundiata Acoli, a convicted murderer who was with Joanne Chesimard when a New Jersey state trooper was killed in 1973.

In a 4-1 decision Tuesday, the Supreme Court said the decision to parole Acoli should not have been made by the lower court. Acoli will have to have a full hearing before the state Parole Board, at which point his victims and their families will be allowed to speak.

Alex was with another of Acoli's victims: Margaret Simmons, whose corrections officer husband Glen was shot in the back during a 1976 prison riot led by Acoli. Glen suffered pain throughout his life and died in 2010.

Margaret was on pins and needles Tuesday when I went to her home in Mercer County, not sure how she could handle the idea of Acoli getting out.