By S.P. Sullivan [email protected],
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
TRENTON — A woman arrested by two New Jersey state troopers for refusing to answer questions during a 2015 traffic stop will receive $30,000 under a settlement with the state, court records show.
Rebecca Musarra, a Philadelphia attorney, put her right to remain silent to the test after she was pulled over for allegedly speeding on Route 519 in Warren County — and ended up in a holding cell for it.
In a recent interview, Musarra said she hoped the case, which drew national attention after it became public, would become a civil liberties lesson for police and members of the public.
“Hopefully this give average citizens a little more courage to assert their rights,” she said.
Dashboard video obtained by NJ Advance Media showed the two troopers growing increasingly frustrated over getting the silent treatment, arresting Musarra for refusing to answer questions and then, after cuffing her, informing her she had a right to remain silent.
The video showed Musarra handed over her license, registration and insurance at the start of the October 16, 2015 stop. But as Trooper Matthew Stazzone began asking her questions — including “do you know why you’re being pulled over tonight?” — Musarra stayed mum.