— A Denville man sought in connection with the vicious June 19 stabbing death of his wife and arrested Thursday in Washington state has waived extradition to New Jersey, and was transferred today to the custody of Denville police, according to police and court records in Washington.
Anthony Novellino, 63, who authorities have labeled a "person of interest" in the death of his wife, Judith Novellino, 62, was missing until police tracked him down Thursday night at a hotel in Puyallup, Wash., authorities have said.
The Novellinos divorced earlier this month and the wife was in the process of getting her own apartment. Novellino was arrested in Washington on a charge of previously making a terroristic threat against his wife’s divorce attorney in New Jersey, authorities said.
Arraigned Friday on the terroristic threat charge in Pierce County Superior Court in Washington, Novellino waived extradition — meaning he agreed to be transferred from Washington to New Jersey without a formal extradition hearing — and was released today to Denville police, according to Puyallup police and court records.
It was not clear when Novellino would be due in court in New Jersey. He has not been charged in connection with the death of Judith, who was stabbed at least 80 times. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office did not release any further information today.
The victim, a popular Morris Catholic High School language teacher and librarian, was found dead at home by her daughter.
Previous coverage:
• Local tip leads authorities to find ex-husband of slain Denville woman in Washington state
• Ex-husband of Denville teacher stabbed 80 times is arrested near Seattle, Wash.
• Ex-husband of slain Denville teacher is captured near Seattle, Wash.
• Parsippany church to hold funeral Saturday for slain Denville teacher