TRENTON, N.J.—Sentenced to seven years in prison for being found with guns he’d purchased legally in Colorado, Tuesday felt like Christmas for 27-year-old Brian Aitken, and Gov. Chris Christie seemed like Kris Kringle.
Aitken left Mid-State Correctional Facility Annex in Wrightstown, where he had served nearly four months, about 10:30 Tuesday morning only hours after learning that Christie commuted his sentence to time served.
“Is this going to be the best Christmas ever or the worst?” Aitken asked himself over and over as his family petitioned the governor’s office for leniency and pleaded his case to the media and on Facebook.
It was the Republican governor’s first commutation since taking office. Christie, a former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, said that he felt “justice required a commutation” and had indicated earlier in the week that he would make a decision before Christmas.
Christie announced his decision in the case Monday night and called Aitken’s parents. Aitken wasn’t told until Tuesday morning and said he was confused about why he had been placed in protective custody.
“I had no idea this was happening,” he said. “To say I was cautiously optimistic is an understatement. I’m just really glad we have a governor like Chris Christie,” Aitken told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
For Aitken and his family, it was the best present he’s ever received.
“I can finally exhale,” said Aitken’s dad, Brian Aitken, Sr., who said he had a “tremendous respect” for the governor.
The family started a “Free Brian Aitken” Facebook page, which had over 15,000 supporters.
Aitken’s case became a cause celebre among gun-rights advocates after he was sent to prison on Aug. 27.
It stemmed from an incident in 2009, when Aitken muttered to his mother that life wasn’t worth living, then left her home in Mount Laurel. She called police, who found two handguns in the trunk of his car.
Aitken said he was in transit in a move to Hoboken, which should exempt him from weapon-registration laws. He said he even called state police to check on the laws before moving the guns and was told he was following protocol.
But Judge James Morley would not allow the argument in trial this year. Aitkens was convicted then sentenced to a 7-year prison term. Christie later declined to reappoint the judge because of an unrelated case.
Christie announced his decision in the case Monday night and called Aitken’s parents. Aitken wasn’t told until Tuesday morning and said he was confused about why he had been placed in protective custody.
“I had no idea this was happening,” he said.
The National Rifle Association praised Christie for commuting the prison sentence.
“While Gov. Christie’s grant of clemency was absolutely the right thing to do, Brian Aitken’s case is just one example of how New Jersey’s ridiculous gun laws turn law-abiding gun owners into criminals,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
Aitken called his sentence a nightmare, but said that he refused to take a plea because he was following the law.
“It was about doing the right thing, not the easy thing,” Aitken said. “I knew this is bigger than me and I couldn’t cave to it.
“I was sentenced to seven years for not harming anyone. How can anyone perceive that to be justice?” Aitken asked.
On Tuesday, Aitken walked out of prison and into the arm of his girlfriend, who was waiting for him with coffee in hand. He then went to go meet his 4-month-old nephew for the first time.
While his sentenced was reduced, Aitken vowed to appeal his case to clear his name.
“It’s the beginning of a long road,” he said. “This is bigger than me and I can’t cave to it.”
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Associated Press reporter David Porter in Wayne contributed to this story.
