According to authorities, a Newark Police lieutenant was arrested for the murder of his wife. Police say that on Monday, 49 year-old John Formisano drove to the family home at around 11:30pm in Jefferson and opened fire on Christine Formisano and a 40 year-old man who was also in the home on Mirror Place.
The suspect’s estranged wife was discovered on the front porch of a nearby house. According to a witness, after she was shot, she ran to a neighbor’s house to ask for help, but Formisano caught up to her and shot her to death. The suspect was eventually located at a parking lot in Livingston where he was arrested and charged with first degree murder, weapons offenses, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (two children were home during the shooting). Click here to read more at www.nj.com.
Murder is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, which provides:
Criminal homicide constitutes murder when:
- The actor purposely causes death or serious bodily injury resulting in death; or
- The actor knowingly causes death or serious bodily injury resulting in death; or
- It is committed when the actor, acting either alone or with one or more other persons, is engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit robbery, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, carjacking, criminal escape or terrorism, and in the course of such crime or of immediate flight therefrom, any person causes the death of a person other than one of the participants;
Murder is a crime of the first degree – the most serious under our Criminal Code. Normally, a crime of the first degree is punishable by a period of between 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. However, a person convicted of the crime of Murder is subject to a sentence of 30 years to life, with a minimum of 30 years that must be served before the person is eligible for parole.
If you are in the situation that you or a loved one is charged with murder you should contact a lawyer immediately because your freedom is at stake. Criminal defense attorney, Alissa D. Hascup is a Former Morris County Prosecutor who is skilled and experienced at representing individuals charged with murder. She is committed to ensuring your rights are protected in court. Contact her office for a free consultation about your case. She is available 24/7 at 862-257-1200.
