Authorities said the man was shot by a police officer who witnessed the killing
NEWARK -- Opening arguments are expected this week in the trial of a Watchung man accused of fatally shooting the mother of his children in front of a police officer, who subsequently shot him.
Andre Higgs, 44, faces trial before Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler in Newark on an indictment charging him with murder, hindering his own prosecution and endangering the welfare of a child.
Authorities have said Higgs, 44, shot Latrena May, 27, three times on May 1, 2015 after she flagged down a police officer during a dispute outside her home on Tremont Avenue in South Orange.
May, who taught at Pride Academy Charter School, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Prosecutor's Office.
Investigators said that after being shot, Higgs re-entered the home with the gun before being taken into custody.
After being treated at University Hospital and transferred to the Essex County Correctional Facility, Higgs -- who made his first court appearance in a wheelchair -- was released on $1 million bail after posting a property bond covering equity in his $1.2 million Watchung home.
He was later returned to jail after he was involved in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike and charged with driving drunk, resulting in Wigler ordering he post the entire $1 million bail amount in cash.
Wigler previously ruled jurors could hear evidence Higgs allegedly choked May in front of their then-four-year-old daughter about five weeks before the killing, saying the prior incident would establish Higgs' state of mind at the time of May's shooting. But, according to the attorneys representing Higgs, last week, the court reversed that decision.
May's death prompted an outpouring of support for domestic violence prevention efforts in the city.
Editor's Note: This story previously incorrectly stated Higgs was still facing an additional charge that has been dismissed, and left out a revised ruling. Changes have been made reflecting the updated information.
Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.