No Remorse As Neptune, N.J. Cop Admits To Killing Wife With Daughter In His Vehicle

FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- There was no remorse Thursday from the veteran Neptune, New Jersey police officer who gunned down his wife – the mother of their nine children.

As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, prosecutors want Philip Seidle either to die in prison or be almost 80 years old when he walks free. He agreed to a plea deal in court Thursday.

The longtime Neptune police sergeant chased his ex-wife's car into Asbury Park last June, with his 7-year-old daughter riding in his sport-utility vehicle.

Tamara Seidle crashed, and her ex then approached and fired 12 times, killing the mother of their nine children.

On Thursday, prosecutors agreed to a lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter in order to spare the children from testifying - a move supported by the oldest Seidle child.

"To avoid further trauma to our family, we have thoughtfully accepted this guilty plea," said Kirsten Seidle. "My family and I will not be answering any questions."

Wearing an orange prisoner jumpsuit with his hands shackled in court Thursday, Philip Seidle had a lot to say – hinting that he was driven to act because he was outraged that his wife's new boyfriend had moved in.

"She had condemned me to my children for three and a half years for being with someone else, and then, I never even introduced my kids to my lady. And now she moves this guy in and replaces me with him, and makes him their father," Philip Seidle said. "You know, she commits adultery."

During a standoff with police after the shooting, Seidle texted a friend, "I got tired of Tamara's (expletive) and shot her."

"This is, hands down, one of the ugliest cases we've seen," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Gramiccioni called the victim a great, loving light, and said he will refute the ugly comments from the killer when sentencing comes around.

Seidel testified he was with his youngest daughter that day to buy her a dress for a daddy-daughter dance. The nine children are suing various Monmouth County agencies, claiming that given a history of domestic disputes, Seidel shouldn't have been a police officer and shouldn't have had a gun.

Prosecutors will ask for 30 years in prison for Seidle. The defense said there are "mitigating circumstances" that justify a shorter term."

Sentencing is set for August.