MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a former U.S. Air Force military police officer was found guilty today of causing an automobile accident in Bordentown Township in late 2015 that killed two people, including her estranged husband.
Shade Cooper, 28, of East Granby, Connecticut, was convicted by a jury in Superior Court of two counts of Reckless Manslaughter (Second Degree). The Hon. Philip E. Haines scheduled sentencing for August 3.
The investigation revealed that Nicholas Cooper was visiting his children at Shade Cooper’s apartment on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on December 2, 2015. BCPO Assistant Prosecutor Dustin Coolidge argued during the trial that Shade Cooper became angry when another woman – Jocelyn Redding – came to pick him up when the visit was over.
Shade Cooper followed them in her vehicle for approximately 10 miles, at one point striking the Hyundai Elantra being driven by Redding. As the pursuit continued at high speed, Redding was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway near the intersection of Route 545 and Clifton Mills Road. Her vehicle entered the oncoming lane and was struck by a pickup truck. The impact sent Redding’s vehicle off the roadway into a wooded area, killing Nicholas Cooper, 26, and Redding, 23, of Hamilton Township, Mercer County.
The driver of the pickup truck was treated and released at an area hospital.
“We are pleased that the jury’s decision affords a measure of justice for Mr. Cooper, Ms. Redding and their families,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “I would like to commend Assistant Prosecutor Dustin Coolidge for successfully presenting this challenging case.”
The investigation was conducted by the Bordentown Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators for Bordentown Township were Police Chief Brian Pesce, Captain Shawn Mount and Sgt. Frank Nucera III. Major Crimes Unit Detective Brian Miller was the case agent for the Prosecutor’s Office.