Former Newark Lt. John Formasino sentenced to 79 years in prison in murder of his estranged wife, Christie Formasino
NEWARK, N.J. -- A Jefferson Township man was sentenced Monday for the murder of his estranged wife and the attempted murder of the man she was seeing.
He committed the crime while still in his Newark police uniform, and used his police firearm.
CBS2's Alice Gainer got exclusive courtroom video of the sentencing.
"He is evil. Evil," Christie's stepfather said.
It was an emotional day in court for the family of 37-year-old Christie Formisano, who was murdered by her estranged husband John.
"Give them a Christmas present. Give them the maximum sentence," John Formisano said in court.
He went on a rant, first about prosecutors.
"To see them knowingly lie about the facts of the case," he said.
Then, about Christie.
"I'm sorry that it happened, but," Formisano said.
The judge blasted the 52-year-old for blaming the victim.
"I just listened to what may be one of the most narcissistic statements from a defendant that anyone will ever hear in a courtroom," said Judge Michael C. Gaus.
Formisano erupted.
"Be quiest," Gaus said.
"I thought it was a question," Formisano said.
"Be quiet," the judge repeated.
John and Christie were in the process of divorcing.
Formisano was convicted of fatally gunning her down in July, 2019 at their Jefferson Township home, and shooting and injuring a man she had been seeing.
Neighbors' home security cameras captured him chasing after her as she tried to knock on doors.
"We see Mr. Formisano hunting Christie like an animal," Gaus said.
The judge noted when a neighbor asked Formisano what he was doing, he replied "he's just doing some busy work. Some busy work. Gunning down his wife, the mother of his children on the next door neighbor's front porch while she's desperately trying to get help."
Formisano was off duty, but still wearing his Newark police uniform, and used his work firearm. He placed a false 911 call to misdirect police and fled to his mother's home in Livingston.
The couple's two young children were also home at the time. They were not injured.
"Being a mother was her greatest joy," Christie's stepfather siad.
"It is on him that their childhood is shattered and broken," her mother Susan said. She read a letter written by the Formisanos' now 11-year-old daughter.
"I know it's not a nice thing to say, but I hate him and I'm afraid of ever hearing him or seeing him again," she wrote.
One week from Monday would've been Christie's birthday.
"There is little joy happiness or peace in my heart this Christmas season as I mourn what would have been my daughter's 41st birthday," Christie's mother said.
Formisano was sentenced to 79 years behind bars, with both the family and judge noting he's never shown any remorse.
Formisano's attorney says they are appealing.
