SOUTH JERSEY

Camden judge dismisses assault charge against ex-assemblyman Arthur Barclay

Phaedra Trethan
The Courier-Post
A simple assault charge against former N.J. Assemblyman Arthur Barclay (center), shown in a file photo with Camden High School students, was dismissed Friday.

CAMDEN - A municipal court judge on Friday dismissed simple assault charges against former New Jersey assemblyman Arthur Barclay.

The charge stemmed from a June 7 incident at Barclay's Constitution Road home in the city's Fairview section. According to an arrest report, Camden County Police responded to a report of a domestic violence crime around 7:17 p.m. 

Barclay, who was at the home when police arrived, was arrested for "simple assault domestic violence," fingerprinted and released on his own recognizance after a bail hearing.

He was accused of using a closed fist to punch a woman in the face so hard that her nose was bleeding and swelling occurred below her left eye, according to court papers.

On Friday, Barclay appeared with his lawyer, Christopher St. John, before Judge Krisden McCrink in Courtroom 3, wearing a black suit and white shirt with no tie.

McCrink dismissed the case without prejudice because the complainant did not appear in court to testify. 

Barclay declined to comment immediately after the hearing.

Barclay, a city native and former Camden High School basketball standout, resigned from his seat in the state Assembly when his arrest became public. 

Camden County Democratic Party Chairman James Beach announced at the time that Barclay stepped down “effective immediately … for health reasons.”

Barclay had been a Democratic assemblyman representing parts of Camden and Gloucester counties since 2016. He was a member of Camden City Council from 2014 to 2016. 

The 36-year-old is a supervisor in the county's Department of Events and Community Outreach, a $59,532-a-year position. County spokesman Dan Keashen declined to comment Friday on the dismissed charges.

Phaedra Trethan: @CP_Phaedra; 856-486-2417; ptrethan@gannettnj.com

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