New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed Daniel’s Law into effect on Friday, named after the son of Judge Esther Salas, who was killed earlier in 2020.
The law protects the home addresses and telephone numbers of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers from being disclosed to the public, according to ABC 7.
“This is a renewed commitment to ensure our judiciary, prosecutors, and members of law enforcement who answer the call of justice can do so without fear for their personal safety or that of their loved ones,” Murphy said. “By shielding the home addresses and private contact information for those who serve on the bench and enforce our laws, we are demonstrating that in the face of unspeakable tragedy, New Jersey responds not with thoughts and prayers, but with concrete action.”
Salas’s son Daniel Anderl, 20, was killed after he opened the door of his home to a man posing as a FedEx worker, who opened fire on him and his father, Mark Anderl. The older Anderl was shot multiple times but survived after undergoing surgery at a local hospital. Salas was unharmed in the basement.
The suspect, Roy Den Hollander, was found dead by an apparent self-inflicted wound. Sources said that Den Hollander, described as an “anti-feminist” lawyer, was an attorney who had argued a case before Salas in 2015 involving a woman who wanted to register for the exclusively male military draft. In a series of online posts, Den Hollander attacked Salas and accused her of using her Hispanic heritage to get ahead in her career.
Before attacking Salas’s home, Den Hollander allegedly had used publicly available information to compile a dossier of personal information, including her home address, about Salas.
Daniel’s Law prohibits the knowing publication of personal information by government agencies, businesses, or individuals for retired and active judges and other officials.
Salas applauded the law, calling it “a steppingstone” toward improving the security of her fellow judges.
“My husband, Mark, and I would like to thank Gov. Murphy and all the men and women of the New Jersey State Legislature for enacting this trailblazing legislation,” she said. “We hope this law can be a steppingstone to improving the security of my sisters and brothers who serve as federal judges throughout the country. Nobody should be forced to endure the kind of pain my family has experienced ever again. Together, we can work to ensure that all members of the judiciary can perform their duties without fear of retribution or harm.”
