Bergen County Man Wins Initial Federal Review in Challenge to 30-Year Armed Robbery Sentence

NEWARK, N.J. — A federal judge has ruled that a Bergen County inmate serving a 30-year prison sentence for armed robbery may continue pursuing his challenge to the conviction after determining his habeas corpus petition survives initial judicial screening.

In an opinion issued Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Cox Arleo granted Tacuma Ashman’s request to stay his federal habeas case while he completes post-conviction relief proceedings in New Jersey state court.

Ashman is ...