MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the sentencing of 79-year-old Alexander Jacobs of East Hanover for the death of his wife in March 2020. The sentencing took place on July 12, 2024, with Morris County Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor imposing a 15-year term in New Jersey State Prison. The sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which mandates that Jacobs serve most of his sentence before eligibility for parole.
Jacobs had previously entered a guilty plea to first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter on May 31, 2024, in connection with the shooting death of his wife, Lilia Jacobs, age 71. The incident occurred on March 26, 2020, when East Hanover Township Police responded to a 911 call at the couple’s residence on Selmar Terrace. Upon their arrival, officers were informed by Jacobs, who was outside the home, about a domestic incident involving a gun.
The subsequent investigation determined that Jacobs shot his wife in the head with a loaded .380 Beretta, leading to her immediate death. This admission played a crucial role in the proceedings that followed, culminating in the recent sentencing.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Prosecutor Robert Carroll and East Hanover Police Chief Christopher Cannizzo, to address severe domestic violence cases within the community.