Retired NJ State Trooper allegedly shoots at wife

Toms River police allege that Bruce Figular, a retired NJ State Trooper shot at his wife, but missed.  His wife, who fled the home, did not have any injuries.  Few details were released about the incident, but there were a few interesting details.  One is that it took police at least 90 minutes to go into the house and arrest Figular which suggest some time of stand off and negotiation.  After he was arrested, Figular was brought first to the hospital and then to the jail.  This suggests he either had physical injuries or mental health issues. 

He is charged with aggravated assault which, in this case, is a second degree charge.  Attempted murder is not always charged in these shoot and miss cases as it can be difficult to proove that there was an intent to kill.  I would also like to know if a restraining order was filed as they almost always are in these cases.  If so, he needs a good attorney at the FRO hearing to question the wife to essentially depose her. 

Maybe I’m biased, but I think it also helps to have an attorney that knows his (or her) was around family court as well as criminal court.  While there is a possibility for his wife to get back on his side, there is just as much of a chance of a divorce.  Having one attorney to handle both issues may not only save him a lot of money, but it may make the criminal case much easier to deal with. 

As an attorney, my main focus would be on his mental health status at the time of the offense in addition to taking testimony from the wife at the FRO hearing.  A good mental health defense and/or intoxication defense could be used to keep him out of prison.

Story is here.

Posted on April 19, 2009, in News and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.

  1. The wife of that Ex cop is now dead he was released from jail 2 days before she killed herself

  2. No worries- wife is now dead. Has anyone looked into Pistol Pete’s alibi?

  3. To the people who like to spread negative lies about people they know nothing about. Both comments listed above are viscious, horrible lies. And before you try and ruin someone with your lies you should really think about who you are hurting before you spread these lies. You have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. Maybe you should think about his daughters and how they will feel when they read your worthless comments. One thing I know is that he was a great husband and he is still a great Dad. You should really get the facts first hand. Your comments are far from true. People who spread viscious rumors are nothing but stupid, worthless individuals with nothing in their own lives. Maybe you should get professionl help. If your going to speak ofsomeone know the facts. If you ever met his daughters you would know that he is raising two great kids. The problem with the world is people like you spreading untruths. I hope you are proud of yourselves. Here is some advice: Each day try and do something positive that will make you a better person and not just another scumbag.

  4. replies to “Steve said” and “Anonymous” the Ex cop never went to jail and his wife didnt kill herself. Its obvious you both have no knowledge of this and dont know these two people. All your doing is hopping on the rumor mill, and hurting their families. Get your facts straight before you speak of things your dont know the first thing about, they loved each other very much, its a terrible loss.

%d bloggers like this: