NEWTON, NJ (Sussex County) — Former Tenafly police officer, 38-year-old Joseph Grieco, was sentenced on Wednesday to 11 years in state prison after being found guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter for the fatal shooting of his husband, 44-year-old John Kelly, on July 26, 2023, in Vernon Township, according to Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Sahil K. Kabse.
The facts presented during the trial indicated that on the evening of July 25, 2023, into the early morning hours of July 26, Grieco and Kelly returned home after a night out with friends. Grieco had consumed alcohol at the Vernon VFW earlier that evening and continued drinking while at home with Kelly and their friends, Kabse said.
At some point in the early hours of July 26, 2023, Grieco retrieved his handgun, a Gen4 Glock Model 23, and began handling it, despite being repeatedly warned that the firearm was loaded. The gun discharged, striking Kelly in the abdomen area.
Emergency services responded to the scene, and Kelly, a former New York City police officer, was transported to a hospital in Warwick, N.Y., but later succumbed to his injuries.
At sentencing, the state argued for a 20-year custodial sentence, while the defense argued for a sentence of five years. The Honorable Michael C. Gaus, J.S.C., who presided over the trial, ultimately sentenced Grieco to 11 years in New Jersey state prison, with an 85% period of parole ineligibility.
“The sentencing by the Court underscores the importance of safe and responsible gun ownership and the deadly consequences that can occur when a person disregards this responsibility,” said Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Sahil K. Kabse.
The case was prosecuted by Acting Prosecutor Kabse and Assistant Prosecutor Vanessa Henderson. Joseph Grieco was represented by S. Emile Lisboa IV, Esq.
