NJ mom charged in crash that killed her son is released from jail

🔴Jennifer Pearson was released after being charged in the boating death of her son

🔴Her attorney told the judge she is a defendant and a grieving mom who lost her son

🔴Pearson, who has no prior record, is due back in court Sept. 22

The mother who was charged in the death of her son in a boating crash on Barnegat Bay was released following a detention hearing on Friday morning after her lawyer told the judge she is both a defendant and grieving mother.

Jennifer Pearson was charged Wednesday with death by vessel for operating a vessel recklessly while under the influence of alcohol on Barnegat Bay during Memorial Day weekend.

She crashed into Intracoastal Water Marker #79 near the Brant Beach Yacht Club, throwing six people into the bay, including her son, Gunnar Pearson, 28, and his girlfriend. Gunnar later died at a hospital.

Attorney says Pearson is both a defendant and a grieving mother

Family, friends and colleagues of Jennifer Pearson came to her defense during the hearing, in which attorney William P. Cunningham described her as a "defendant and a victim, having lost her son."

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Gunnar Pearson was a member of the NJ National Guard

52 letters in 5 hours

Cunningham said that in preparation for the hearing, he went to Pearson's husband, Gary, on Thursday morning and asked him for some letters of recommendation. Given the short amount of time before Friday's hearing, he wasn't hopeful of getting many.

Cunningham said he was pleasantly surprised at the result, including letters from both Gary and her son Cody.

"At 12:30, he walked into my office five hours later. 52 letters. What does that say about this woman? I didn't submit all of them, but they're from school teachers, students, family, friends. Think about that," Cunningham told the judge.

Cunningham is also the attorney for Stephen Schneider, the grandfather charged in the deaths of his two grandchildren on July 19.

Judge says Pearson does not pose a risk to the community

Judge Kim Rahill, in granting Pearson's release, said the paralegal and substitute teacher does not have a prior record of any kind and that the community will not be at risk.

She is prohibited from operating a boat or drinking alcohol before driving a vehicle.

Pearson's next court date is Sept. 22.

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