A Bergen County grand jury recently handed down an indictment for a Lodi New Jersey man accused of murdering his wife.

The 47-year-old suspect allegedly killed his estranged wife in May 2014. According to Bergen County prosecutors, the suspect fatally stabbed his 39-year-old wife at the couple’s house. At the time of the killing, the suspect and the victim were reportedly going through a difficult divorce.

Shortly after the victim was stabbed, the suspect allegedly used a fake dental appointment to get the couple’s sons out of school. He then reportedly drove them to South Carolina.

Authorities conducted a manhunt and managed to locate the suspect near his father’s house in South Carolina a day later. He eventually waived extradition and was returned to New Jersey.

At an initial hearing, the suspect pleaded not guilty to homicide charges. Now he has been formally indicted by a Bergen County grand jury. As a result of the indictment, the suspect will have to stand trial in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.

The grand jury also indicted the suspect on charges of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawfully removing his children with the purpose of facilitating a crime or his flight.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the first degree murder charges, he could potentially be sentenced to life imprisonment. First degree murder is considered the most serious criminal offense in the NJ Criminal Code. Although first degree criminal offenses ordinarily carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, murder carries a minimum term of incarceration of 30 years.

While awaiting trial, the defendant is being held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article entitled “Lodi Man Indicted for Wife’s Murder, Report Says.”