NEWTON, NJ (Sussex County) — A former Tenafly police officer Joseph Grieco was found guilty after a jury trial of first-degree aggravated manslaughter for the fatal shooting of his husband, John Kelly, on July 26, 2023, in Vernon Township, according to Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.
On the evening of July 25, 2023, into the early morning hours of July 26, Grieco, 38, and Kelly, 44, returned home after a night out with friends. Grieco had consumed alcohol earlier at the Vernon VFW and continued drinking at home with Kelly and friends, Murray said.
At some point, in the early hours of July 26, Grieco retrieved his handgun, a Gen4 Glock Model 23, and began handling it despite being warned multiple times that the firearm was loaded. The gun discharged, striking Kelly in the abdomen, Murray said.
Emergency services responded to the scene, and Kelly, a former New York City Police Officer, was transported to a hospital in Warwick, NY, but succumbed to his injuries, Murray said.
The trial lasted about a week, during which the State called seven witnesses, including eyewitnesses, law enforcement officers from both the Vernon Township Police Department and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, a medical examiner, and a ballistic expert. Evidence presented included a 9-1-1 call, photos, receipts, bullets, bullet fragments, a casing, and the gun used in the incident, Murray said.
“This tragic incident underscores the inherent recklessness of handling firearms under the influence of alcohol,” said Murray.
Grieco’s sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2025, before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus, J.S.C., who presided over the trial. Grieco faces a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison, with a period of parole ineligibility as required by statute, Murray said.
The case was prosecuted by Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Sahil Kabse and Acting Assistant Prosecutor Vanessa Henderson. Grieco was represented by S. Emile Lisboa IV, Esq.
