Attorney for Deptford police officer charged with murder seeks more information

WOODBURY — An attorney for the Deptford police officer accused of shooting his friend to death last year is asking prosecutors for more information, as a potential murder trial looms.
James Stuart was 29 when he allegedly shot 27-year-old David Compton of Woodbury in the head in the predawn hours of Jan. 5, 2013. The two were inside the Deptford home of Stuart, who was off-duty at the time.
The officer was charged with first-degree murder when Compton died from his injuries six days later. He was also charged with aggravated manslaughter and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Stuart was suspended from the police force without pay. He is also free after posting bail.
On Monday, his attorney, John Eastlack, filed a motion for what is called a bill of particulars. Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld said that’s what is sought when the defense wants more than is stated in the criminal complaint or the indictment.
Assistant County Prosecutor Dana Anton will file a response to Eastlack’s motion, Weisenfeld said.
Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. scheduled Stuart’s next court appearance for June 9.
On the morning of the shooting, Stuart called a side line — a line often used by first responders to speak to dispatchers — at the county emergency communications center to report the incident.
He told dispatchers that Compton was “playing” with his service gun and that a shot had been fired.