Ex-EHT Cop Fights Convict’s Latest Clemency Request

One of the Egg Harbor Township Police officers whom Christopher Blank shot during a traffic stop in 2006 is asking for help opposing another of Blank's bids for clemency, the latest appeal attempt of his 85-year conviction for the crime.

A Look Back at the Night in Question

According to the police report and articles about this case from 2006, here is what police say happened that night.

Blank was a passenger in a car driven by his girlfriend on July 13, 2006, when Egg Harbor Township Officer Christopher Leary stopped the vehicle.

When Leary learned Blank was wanted on a warrant for theft, he called for backup, and Officer Clear Costantino responded.

When Leary tried to handcuff Blank, he broke free, and the officers gave chase. Blank struggled with the cops.

He pulled the gun from Costantino's holster and shot the officer in the abdomen and thigh. Another round grazed her left leg.

He shot Leary in the chest, but the officer's bulletproof vest protected him from serious injury. Costantino, who also wore a vest, wasn't as lucky and required surgery for her injuries.

Egg Harbor Township Policeman William Loder confronted Blank a short time later and ordered him to drop the gun.

Blank fired at the officer instead, but missed. Loder returned fire and wounded Blank in the arm.

Blank was captured hours later with the help of a police K-9.

He began "fighting and punching the dog," according to court testimony.

Blank Was Convicted & Began Repeated Appeals

In 2008, an Atlantic County jury found Blank guilty of attempted murder and other charges, and he was sentenced to 85 years in prison.

Christopher Blank, 46, has appealed his conviction many times since then, including a 2018 appeal in federal court after his appeals in state court failed.

A federal district court rejected Blank's appeal, and that left him facing prison until 2078, shortly after his 100th birthday.

In 2025, Christopher Blank hoped that Gov. Murphy would grant him clemency and started an online campaign called 'Free Chris Blank', advocating for his release.

Blank said the Egg Harbor Township police officers involved in his case "overreacted, and he only fought back while 'desperately defending himself' from police brutality.

He claimed he didn't get a fair trial in 2008 because 9 of the 12 jurors were related to law enforcement officers.

Former Officer Urges People to Reject Clemency Bid

During Christopher Blank's trial, Clear Costantino, who left the police department after the shooting, urged the judge to hand down the maximum penalty, insisting that Blank has never shown any remorse for his actions.

She posted on Facebook that she thinks Blank is trying again to get Governor Mikee Shirrell to grant him clemency.

I am again asking for your help. You really came through last time, and I have recently learned that the man who shot me, another officer, and at other officers has submitted an application for clemency to the governor.

I was given 30 days to provide any comments or information I believe should be considered in the petition presented to the Governor at the time a decision is rendered. This is where I need your help.

 

I am asking friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers to submit a letter to the NJ State Parole Board and or Governor Sherrill in opposition of Christopher Blank’s request for Executive Clemency-via a Commutation of Sentence to the Governor.

When Blank tried his clemency appeal in 2025, Costantino said she believed the "Free Chris Blank" campaign was particularly disturbing and was spreading misinformation and blatant fabrications about what happened the night she was shot.