After 6 Months, N.J. Officer Charged With Wife's Murder
Robert Vanaman, a police officer, was finally charged Tuesday with murdering his wife with his police-issued handgun and trying to cover it up.
It took authorities more than six months to decide whether to charge Millville Police Sgt. Robert Vanaman, who authorities said claimed he was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot his wife on May 11. Barbara Vanaman, 37, died of two gunshot wounds to the chest.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Ronald Casella said the case was tricky in part because there were no witnesses.
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Robert Vanaman, 37, spent four days in a hospital for treatment of stab wounds and slashes to his torso and arms, said his lawyer, Joseph O'Neill.
Vanaman, a 15-year veteran of the police force in the city 40 miles west of Atlantic City, was suspended after the shooting. The charges he faces include murder, hindering an investigation and suppression of evidence.
Since the slaying, he had been on leave from his police job and was raising his 14- and 5-year-old sons.
Neither boy was home when their mother was shot. But the younger one did see his father led away in handcuffs Tuesday, O'Neill said.
A judge set bail Tuesday at $750,000. Vanaman was to appear in court Wednesday.
5/21/2006 - Police Officer Murders His Wife-Remains on Job Until he is Charged?
5/30/2006 - Don't let the Truth be Buried with Barbara Vanaman
