FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) — A suspended New Jersey police officer has pleaded guilty to charges that he chased and gunned down his ex-wife while their 7-year-old daughter was in his car.
Neptune Township Sgt. Philip Seidle pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors will recommend 30 years in state prison and Seidle will avoid a life sentence.
Authorities say 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, last June. Authorities say moments after the chase ended, he got out and fired his service weapon several times into her vehicle. She died at a hospital.
Seidle let police take his daughter from his vehicle and put his service weapon to his head, but eventually surrendered.