Probe: Police couldn't have stopped Neptune Township cop from killing ex-wife

Investigators say law enforcement officers couldn't have prevented an off-duty Neptune Township police officer from killing his ex-wife last year in Asbury Park. Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher

News 12 Staff

Jul 1, 2016, 4:21 AM

Updated 2,866 days ago

Share:

Probe: Police couldn't have stopped Neptune Township cop from killing ex-wife
Investigators say law enforcement officers couldn't have prevented an off-duty Neptune Township police officer from killing his ex-wife last year in Asbury Park.
Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni on Thursday released the results of his investigation into the murder of Tamara Wilson-Seidle.
Neptune Township Sgt. Philip Seidle admitted chasing and gunning down Wilson-Seidle, his ex-wife, while their 7-year-old daughter was in his car in June 2015.
Police dash cam video released by the prosecutor shows two cars racing around a corner, followed by gunshots. Police officers were nearby at the time, responding to an unrelated traffic incident.
"Tamara was most likely killed within seconds to minutes of that first round of gunshots," Gramiccioni says.
Seidle fired his service weapon several times into her vehicle after the chase. Seidle's daughter ran from his vehicle to a nearby officer, and he put his service weapon to his head before firing again into Wilson-Seidle's car.
Gramiccioni said responding officers made an "appropriate" call not to shoot Seidle, citing that too many civilians were in the area at the time.
However the prosecutor does recommend that an Asbury Park police officer face discipline for failing to alert officers that they were arriving at a murder scene, instead of only a suicidal officer. Another police officer who left the scene should also face consequences, according to Gramiccioni.
Residents in the area near the shooting believe Seidle received preferential treatment because he was a police officer.
"They believe the cops aided the cop instead of the woman, that's what the community believes," says Mikal Jackson, of Asbury Park.
Seidle pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. He is expected to be sentenced in September.


More from News 12
0:48
Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

Authorities: Construction worker suffers fatal fall into trench at Kenilworth site

1:41
Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

Death of New Jersey state trooper during training incident prompts investigation

2:11
Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

Early storms Tuesday followed by partial sun; temps warm to upper-70s

0:16
Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

Police: Hoboken man facing weapons charges in road rage incident

2:42
Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

Jersey Shore surfer whose 20-foot wipeout went viral helps rescue struggling swimmer

2:11
Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them

0:42
New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

New Jersey florists prep orders for Mother’s Day celebrations

0:22
Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

Upgrades underway at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A

1:32
How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

How to prepare for spotted lanternfly season

0:25
Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

Officials: 2 firefighters hospitalized; dog dies in Wayne house fire

0:19
Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

Fire officials: Driver extricated from car following Lyndhurst crash

0:29
Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

Department of Justice: 2 men sentenced for defrauding JetBlue Airways of $10 million

0:59
Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jersey Buzz: Newark's Frankie Valli receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

0:26
Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

Three groups are suing New Jersey to block an offshore wind farm

1:59
Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

Asian Pacific American Heritage: News 12 speaks to 1st woman & Asian-American to lead New Jersey National Guard

1:55
'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey

'Real Housewives' star Margaret Joseph's Soiree mocktail is Made In New Jersey

1:48
'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

New Jersey National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

New Jersey National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers