Cop accused of killing wife has spent month in psych hospital. He’s still not well enough for court, lawyer says. – NJ.com

The Newark police lieutenant accused of shooting his wife to death and wounding her boyfriend a month ago is still not ready to make his first court appearance because he continues to have mental health issues and remains hospitalized under psychiatric care, his lawyer said this week.

John Formisano, 49, is charged with murder, attempted murder and endangering the welfare of his two children in the July 14 shooting death of Christine Solaro Formisano and the attempted killing of her boyfriend, identified in court papers only as “T.S.”

Anthony J. Iacullo, the defense attorney for Formisano, said his client continues to undergo “psychological treatment and observation at this time.”

“When and if he is well enough to appear in court, he will do so at that time,” Iacullo said. “Until then, the focus of the defense is to allow the medical personnel to do their job and hopefully return John to the way he was before this incident.”

The shootings occurred in the Morris County home Formisano once shared with his family before he filed for divorced and moved in with his parents in Essex County.

Under New Jersey’s new bail reform guidelines, criminal defendants are required to appear before a judge within 48 hours. At the first appearance, the charges are read aloud and the judge determines if the defendant is suitable for release on bail.

Formisano was arrested hours after the killings in Livingston, brought to the Jefferson Township Police Department and then taken to the psychiatric unit of St. Clare’s hospital in Boonton. He has not yet made that first court appearance.

Iacullo would not describe Formisano’s current psychiatric state. Asked if Formisano might avoid the legal system entirely, Iacullo said he didn’t know.

“I am not a doctor and I make no representations as to when or whether John will be able to appear in court or if he was able to appreciate his alleged actions on the night in question,” the attorney said.

“That is something that professionals with medical degrees will determine at the appropriate time hopefully in the near future,” he said.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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