With his daughter in the car, Philip Seidle pursued his ex-wife before crashing into her and then shooting, prosecutors say

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A suspended New Jersey police officer has pleaded not guilty to charges he chased and gunned down his ex-wife last year while their seven-year-old daughter was in his car.



Defense attorney Edward Bertucio entered the plea Wednesday on behalf of Neptune Township Sergeant Philip Seidle to murder, weapons and child endangerment charges, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Seidle was off duty and had his daughter in the front seat of his vehicle when he chased after a car driven by his ex-wife, Tamara, on 16 June, according to prosecutors. He crashed into her car, approached her and fired a dozen shots from his service weapon at his ex-wife, killing her, prosecutors said. The 51-year-old woman died at a hospital.

Seidle let police take his daughter from his vehicle and put his service weapon to his head, but he eventually surrendered after a 30-minute standoff, according to police.

Bertucio said a possible plea bargain had been discussed with prosecutors but would not speculate about his client’s plans.

“We’re in discussions,” Bertucio said. “It’s a sensitive point in the case. I have no idea what Mr Seidle plans to do. Whatever it is will be in keeping with the best interests of his children.”