Man charged with murder of ex-girlfriend
A former Clifton man was charged Tuesday, Aug. 31 with the murder of an ex-girlfriend, after police found the body in her car in a Ridgefield Park parking lot, where the suspect – who was standing outside the car – had what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds, prosecutors said.
David Goodell, 31, is accused of murdering Viviana Tulli, along with eluding, assault by auto and two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer.
An investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Homicide Squad, and the Ridgefield Police Department revealed that on Sunday, Aug. 29, at approximately 11:50 p.m., Mr. Goodell, a resident of “Logan House” under the supervision of New Jersey State Parole Board, was transported to UMDNJ Medical Center in Newark for a purported seizure. Logan House in Newark is a residential step-down facility for parolees. Once at the hospital, Mr. Goodell escaped. Shortly after, a violation of parole warrant was issued for him.
On Monday, Aug. 30, during the early morning hours, Mr. Goodell contacted the victim, and the two met at a mutual friend’s house in Elmwood Park. The victim is the ex-girlfriend of Mr. Goodell; however they maintained a relationship with one another. At 1:11 p.m., Ridgefield Park Police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a man (later identified as Mr. Goodell) who appeared to be bleeding, standing outside a vehicle which was parked in the front lot of Ridgefield Park High School. Responding officers found Mr. Goodell, who quickly jumped in the victim’s 2007 Nissan Versa and attempted to flee. While doing so, he struck a Ridgefield Park police car. A brief pursuit ensued, which was later picked up by Ridgefield Police Department officers. Mr. Goodell ended up in the cul-de-sac of Elizabeth Street near Abbott Avenue, where after turning around, he purposely rammed the police cruiser head on. At that point he was removed from the car and it was discovered that he was bleeding from what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds to his wrists. In addition, police found the lifeless body of Ms. Tulli lying in the front passenger seat, which was reclined.
An autopsy has been performed by the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office, the results of which are pending at this time.
Mr. Goodell was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where he remains under guard in stable condition. His injuries are not life threatening. Bail has been set at $2 million with no ten percent option. A first appearance has not yet been set.
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