Gov. Chris Christie Commutes Sentence Of Man Convicted Of Having Guns In N.J. Illegally

Brian Aitken, who was convicted of illegally possessing three handguns he had legally purchased in Colorado, will be out of prison in time for Christmas. Gov. Chris Christie commuted Aitken's sentence Monday, from seven years to time served, according to an order signed by the governor. It was Christie's first commutation since taking office almost a year ago. "We are overjoyed at the news," his younger brother Robert Aitken said in an e-mail. "It's been an extremely emotional time and we all had our own doubts at one time or another I'm sure. I was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst -- for this to be the first battle of a long war to get him out of jail." In 2009, Aitken was arrested for possessing three handguns and ammunition — the guns were unloaded — after state police found them in the trunk of his car. Aitken was visiting his mother in Burlington County when she became concerned about his well-being and called the police. Tweet