Legislation to substantially stiffen penalties for assaulting or spitting on a cop had the misfortune of coming at an inopportune time for committee members, as candidly acknowledged by Committee Chair Linda Greenstein. In the words of the senator, although “this is very important legislation to protect police,” they would be holding the legislation for a later date due to “insensitivity to the case of [Tyre] Nichols.”

The brutal beating of a black man, Tyre Nichols, by five black police officers in Memphis has put the nation on edge in recent days. Nichols was buried earlier today after succumbing to grievous injuries inflicted on him in an incident captured on video that was released Friday. As a result of this, protection of police officers in New Jersey will be delayed by a bit, though Senator Greenstein promised to take up the legislation again in a few weeks.

The senator also revealed that the committee expects to amend the bill to remove the mandatory minimum five-year sentence.