Assembly Speaker Jack Collins, R-Salem, says he will decide by next Wednesday whether he will allow the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Peter Verniero to proceed. Collins did not indicate if he favors impeachment but told reporters Thursday that if the process moves ahead, Verniero would be permitted to defend himself against the allegations and possibly call witnesses. The speaker, who said he is reviewing documents calling for Verniero's impeachment and those defending his record, stressed the process would be fair and objective. This issue is not about racial profiling. If the Assembly does consider impeachment, Collins said the job would be done by May 15, the deadline under a statute of limitations for impeaching Verniero as attorney general.
State law permits impeachment up to two years after a person leaves office.
The speaker also said he is confident members of the Senate could conduct a fair trial even though many, including acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco and the 11 senators who sit on the Judiciary Committee, have asked for Verniero's impeachment. Collins has asked fellow lawmakers to help him decide if the evidence merits Verniero's impeachment. While a bill was introduced Thursday by Assemblyman William Payne, D-Essex, calling for an investigation and, if warranted, impeachment, Collins said he would take the lead on any action to move impeachment forward. Collins said if the impeachment proceeds, a special committee would be created to investigate the charges against Verniero. If the Assembly committee agrees on impeachment then the full Assembly would hear the case, Collins said.