Off-Duty Newark Cop Arrested in Livingston is Indicted on Murder Charges – TAPinto.net

MORRISTOWN, NJ — John Formisano—an off-duty Newark police lieutenant who was arrested in Livingston in July 2019—has been indicted on charges related to the fatal shooting of his estranged wife and the endangerment of a child, announced Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp.

On Dec. 30, an indictment was returned by a Morris County grand jury charging Formisano with a number of offenses, including first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree official misconduct, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution, according to authorities.

According to police, at approximately 11:21 p.m., members of the Jefferson Township Police Department were dispatched to 1 Mirror Place for 911 calls of shots fired. Police found a deceased woman’s body lying on the front porch.

The woman was later identified as his 37-year-old estranged wife, Christine. A 40-year-old male was also located with multiple gunshot wounds inside the residence of 1 Mirror Place, according to police. 

Formisano was located at approximately 2 a.m. in a parking lot on Foxcroft Drive in Livingston and was taken into custody by Livingston police. Responding officers also recovered a firearm believed to be used by the defendant. CLICK HERE to read about the arrest. 

According to police, Formisano had been living with a family member in Livingston after separating from his wife.

The lieutenant, who was off duty at the time of the incident, had been on the Newark police force for 24 years, according to the Newark Public Safety Department.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.