WOODBURY, N.J. (AP) - A suspended southern New Jersey police officer has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a friend earlier this year.
James Stuart of Deptford was also charged with aggravated manslaughter and a weapons offense in the indictment handed up Wednesday by a Gloucester County grand jury.
The 29-year-old Stuart was off-duty when he allegedly shot 27-year-old David Compton of Woodbury on Jan. 5. Compton died several days later from his wounds.
Authorities have said the shooting occurred inside Stuart's apartment. But a possible motive has not been disclosed, and authorities have not said whether Stuart's service weapon was used in the shooting.
Stuart's lawyer has said the shooting was a "terrible accident."