The Newark police lieutenant accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife and wounding her boyfriend this past summer stepped into a courtroom for the first time Monday, but will remain in a hospital pending trial.

John Formisano was arrested a day after the July 14 fatal shooting of the woman he was about to divorce, Christie Solaro Formisano. Wearing his police uniform, he allegedly knocked down the bedroom door at the family’s Jefferson Township home and also shot Solaro Formisano’s boyfriend, who has only been identified by the initials T.S.

Tensions ran high at times in the Morristown courtroom before Superior Court of Morris County Judge David Ironson. A woman, who declined to speak to NJ Advance Media, attempted to say something to Formisano at the end of his brief court appearance.

“Why is his friend allowed to stay?” the woman asked a sheriff’s officer before she left with prosecutor’s office officials.

Sheriff’s officers sectioned off reporters, the woman and several others behind locked doors as Formisano was led in and out of the courtroom.

After the hearing, a woman is held back after she approached John Formisano, the suspended Newark police lieutenant accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife Christine Solaro Formisano and injuring her boyfriend. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media

Formisano appeared Monday for a pre-indictment hearing. And although it’s been about 85 days since he was arrested, under new bail reform and “speedy trial” rules in New Jersey, he would technically need to be indicted after 90 days or be released.

However, Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn asked the judge to start the clock on the speedy trial rule on Aug. 28 -- the date of his detention hearing -- because he was not yet fingerprinted.

Ironson, the judge, granted an extension for indictment by 45 days. Schellhorn added that Formisano would be fingerprinted before he left the courthouse on Monday.

Formisano, 49, appeared via video link from an unspecified state Department of Human Services facility in late August for a detention hearing and he agreed to stay hospitalized pending trial. He remains at an unidentified hospital to receive psychological treatment, his attorney said.

“He is at a medical facility right now and he’s receiving the treatment that he needs at this time,” said Anthony Iacullo, an attorney for Formisano, outside of court on Monday. “We’re hopeful that he will be able to return to the person he was before.”

Eyewitnesses said Solaro Formisano fled for her life and banged on a neighbor’s door on a late Sunday night in mid-July to get their attention before she was killed.

The lieutenant was arrested in a Livingston parking lot hours after the shooting and charged with murder, attempted murder and endangering the welfare of his two children. The couple’s children were home in bed during the shooting, authorities said.

He pleaded not guilty in August.

Formisano was dressed in his police uniform when he shot his estranged wife, according to a 911 caller. Newark police said he was suspended from the force without pay.

Police said Formisano told them he “blacked out” when he arrived back at the home to drop off a pair of glasses for his 8-year-old daughter. When he arrived, he suspected that his estranged wife had a man inside the bedroom the couple had once shared, according to a police report.

Iacullo, Formisano’s attorney, declined to describe Formisano’s mental state on Monday since he is not a doctor.

Schellhorn, the prosecutor, asked the judge to evaluate Formisano for competency on Monday too. Ironson, the judge, asked him to file a motion within a week for the evaluation, and Formisano’s attorney said he would review it.

“Obviously given where he has been since approximately July 19, I think there is reason for the court and the parties to believe competency may be an issue," Schellhorn said. "Just to avoid any issues down the road, I would ask the court to extend that.”

One of Solaro Formisano’s friends, who spoke to reporters after court in August, recounted the late mother’s parenting skills.

“She was the most amazing mom you’ll ever meet,” said Kathleen Coviello-Guida last month as tears began to well up in her eyes. “It’s a shame that their kids lost their mom.”

A candlelight vigil in honor of Christie Solaro Formisano was held at the Jefferson Library in Oak Ridge. She was killed on July 14th, allegedly by her husband, a Newark police officer. A photo of her was on display at the gazebo. Amanda Brown | For NJ Advance MeAmanda Brown | For NJ Advance Me

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.