Morris Prosecutor: Jefferson Man Charged with Murder of Wife at Jefferson Residence

Published on July 16, 2019

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Jefferson Township Police Chief Sean Conrad announce that John Formisano, a 49-year-old Newark police officer and Jefferson resident, has been charged with first degree Murder in connection with a shooting that occurred this week on Mirror Place in Jefferson Township.Morris County Prosecutor's Office seal

On July 14, at 11:21 p.m., Jefferson police were dispatched to 1 Mirror Place for 911 calls of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased woman's body laying on the front porch steps of 5 Mirror Place.

She was subsequently identified as Christine Formisano, 37, of Jefferson. A second victim, male, age 40, was located with multiple gunshot wounds inside the residence of 1 Mirror Place. He remains hospitalized.

At about 2 a.m., the defendant, who was identified as the deceased victim's estranged husband, was located in a parking lot in Livingston. He was taken into the custody by law enforcement in Livingston. The firearm believed to be used by Mr. Formisano to inflict the injuries was collected from his motor vehicle.

Investigators determined that Mr. Formisano had driven to 1 Mirror Place shortly before the first 911 call was received.

As a result of the investigation, the defendant was charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Members of the Jefferson Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office€“Crime Scene Investigations and Emergency Response Team, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety, and Morris County Medical Examiner's Office all took part in this investigation.

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, or the Jefferson Township Police Department at 973-697-1300.

Any inquiries can be directed to Morris County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at 973-829-8159 or pdigennaro@co.morris.nj.us.

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