Cop Who Shot Ex-Wife To Death In Morris Co. Home Sentenced

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A former Newark police officer was sentenced to 79 years in state prison for killing his ex-wife and seriously injuring her boyfriend, according to authorities.

52-year-old John Formisano's sentencing on Monday is subject to the No Early Release Act, which makes Formisano ineligible for parole until he has served 85 percent of 65 years, which is approximately 55 years, 3 months.

Specifically, Michael C. Gaus imposed the following consecutive sentences: 50 years on the count of murder; 15 years on the count of attempted murder; seven years on a count of endangering the welfare of a child; and seven years on a count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Judge Gaus ordered Formisano to have no contact with the boyfriend, Timothy Simonson and to have no contact with the two minor children or their current guardian for a period of 180 days. Judge Gaus also ordered Formisano to pay restitution to the New Jersey Victims of Crimes Compensation Office and to reimburse the victims for medical expenses.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Jefferson Township on July 14, 2019. Members of the Jefferson Township Police Department were dispatched to 1 Mirror Place at 11:21 p.m. for 9-1-1 calls of shots fired.

Read more: Cop Admits Killing Estranged Wife In Video, Morris Co. Prosecutor Says

When officers arrived, they discovered the body of a deceased woman on the front porch steps of 5 Mirror Place. Christie Solaro-Formisano, 37, of Jefferson Township, was later identified as the deceased woman.

According to authorities, Formisano drove to the Mirror Place home late on July 14, 2019, after working a shift at the Newark Police Department.

When Formisano entered the house, he saw Solaro-Formisano and Simonson, inside the main bedroom and began shooting, according to authorities.

Solaro-Formisano fled the house and knocked on neighbors' doors for help, when Formisano chased her down and shot her to death with his department-issued gun.

Simonson, who was found inside the house, was shot seven times and required emergency surgery, according to a 2020 lawsuit against Formisano and the Police Department.

According to police, the Formisanos' two children were also in the home at the time of the shooting.

Following the murder, at approximately 2 a.m., Formisano was found in Livingston, and was taken into custody by law enforcement. The murder weapon was discovered in the trunk of the vehicle Formisano was driving.

Although two 911 callers stated that Formisano was wearing his uniform when he shot his estranged wife, Formisano, an Acting Lieutenant with the Newark Police Department, was off-duty at the time of the murder.

"It has been more than three years since the tragic murder of Christie Solaro-Formisano — a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to many. Today’s verdict does not change the fact that Christie’s two young children will grow up without their loving mother, which will significantly impact them for the rest of their lives," Solaro-Formisano’s family said in a previous statement.

Since her death, Solaro-Formisano's family has been attempting to honor her life and memory through anti-domestic violence work and raise awareness for domestic violence within the law enforcement community.

"We seek to bring attention to this issue so that no one else experiences what Christie did on the horrific night of July 14, 2019. No one deserves to live in constant fear for themselves and their young children," the family said.