“I miss my son”

Brothers Branden Rodwell, Jaykil Rodwell, and Jasper Spivey (front row, center) surrounded by supporters including member of the People’s Organization for Progress at the Essex County Courthouse on Thursday Nov. 18, 2021. (Josie Gonsalves for Public Square)

NEWARK, NJ—Monique Rodwell sat in Essex County courtroom 1102 on Thursday morning, awaiting yet another court proceeding. Her son Justin Rodwell — currently detained — and his three brothers, Branden Rodwell, Jaykil Rodwell, and Jasper Spivey, accompanied by their attorneys, appeared to hear any outstanding discovery demands, plea negotiations, or motions on the four cases against them.

 The cases stem from a June 1, 2021 incident in Newark's South Ward in which a group of undercover police officers approached the Rodwell and Spivey brothers outside of their family home. James Stewart, President of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police, has described the incident as a "mob" attack on police officers who were "pummeled to the ground, kicked in the head, and choked," as they made the arrests. But the brothers say the police attacked them, and family members, advocates, and even Mayor Ras Baraka have also disputed the police narrative.

 All four brothers were arrested following the incident — Branden K. Rodwell, 31, and Justin Rodwell, 30 at the scene, and Jaykil A. Rodwell, 28, and Jasper D. Spivey, 24 the next day after surrendering to police.  However, Justin Rodwell is the only one among the brothers still being detained. 

 On Thursday, November 18, a packed courtroom greeted Justin Rodwell as he entered in handcuffs but with his head high and shoulders back. The courtroom benches were lined with community members demonstrating their support for Justin and calling for his release and dismissal of all charges.  

 Once again, all four brothers, and their attorneys, answered queries on discovery demands, plea proposals, and other motions.  Once again, the Essex County Prosecutor was late in showing up to court — this time by more than an hour — and little movement was made as discovery documents due to the defendants were not received in time for review before the hearing.

 All four brothers maintain that they were attacked by police and have refused any offered plea deals. Justin continues to demand recognition for his innocence, and as defendants, the brothers have notified the court that they intend to go to trial on the alleged charges against them. 

 "Free Justin!" observers chanted as Justin walked out of the courtroom. They stood up in solidarity, shouting for his release. In attendance were members of the People's Organization for Progress, including its leaders Lawrence Hamm and Ingrid Hill, and community activists, academicians, students, and neighbors.

 Monique Rodwell, the mother of the four brothers, continues to be a tower of strength for her sons even as she faces health issues exacerbated by the strain of not having Justin by her side. The drawn-out legal battle is also taking a mental and physical toll.

 As the courtroom emptied, she sat down for a brief moment of rest. "I miss my son," she said. "It's time for this to end. His daughter needs him. I need him."

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that the attorney for Justin Rodwell raised a motion for Justin's release. This article has been updated to correctly reflect Monique Rodwell’s last name.