Kathleen M. Petrucci Promoted to Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor by Mercer County Prosecutor
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri has recently announced the promotion of Kathleen M. Petrucci to the position of deputy first assistant prosecutor. The promotion ceremony took place last week at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse, where DFAP Petrucci was sworn in by Judge Peter E. Warshaw, J.S.C.
DFAP Petrucci began her career in the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in September 1999 as an assistant prosecutor. Over the course of her 24-year tenure, she has worked in various units within the office, including the Trial Unit, Gang Unit, Project Safe Neighborhoods Unit, Juvenile Unit, Grand Jury Unit, Special Investigations Unit/Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, Internal Affairs Unit, and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. She has held leadership positions, such as chief of the Juvenile Unit and chief of the Gang Unit. From 2016 to 2018, she served as the chief of the Special Investigations Unit and was cross-designated as a special assistant U.S. attorney. In this role, she was responsible for screening and adopting state drug and gun crime cases from Mercer County for federal prosecution. She has most recently been serving as the senior assistant prosecutor overseeing the Mercer County Homicide Task Force.
Throughout her career, DFAP Petrucci has been involved in numerous high-profile cases, including those involving homicides, aggravated assaults, firearms possessions, and drug distributions. Notably, she played a key role in the successful prosecution of the attempted murder case of State v. Billy Heisler, who was convicted in 2012 for attempting to murder an off-duty Mercer County Sheriff’s Officer. She also played a significant role in the double murder case of State v. Treizon Thompson, which resulted in his conviction in December 2022 for the murders of two rival gang members.
Beyond her prosecutorial duties, DFAP Petrucci has made valuable contributions to the legal community through her role as an educator. She has taught firearms law, controlled dangerous substance law, and juvenile justice at the Mercer County Police Academy and the New Jersey State Police Academy. Additionally, she has been a guest lecturer at The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Community College.
While continuing to handle homicide cases, DFAP Petrucci’s new role will expand her responsibilities to include general oversight of the Major Crimes, Special Investigations, and Appellate units. She will also assist in formulating policy and overseeing investigations. DFAP Petrucci has been serving as the administrative assistant prosecutor since September 2021.
DFAP Petrucci obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Bethany College (WV) in 1992 and her law degree from Seton Hall University Law School in 1998. Before joining the prosecutor’s office, she worked as a law clerk for Judge Paul T. Koenig, J.S.C.
The promotion of DFAP Petrucci reflects her extensive experience, dedication, and contributions to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Her outstanding track record and expertise make her well-suited for her new role as deputy first assistant prosecutor.
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