TV Comedy Writer/Producer Paulsen Charged In Wife's Slaying

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- A TV comedy writer and producer was charged Thursday with murder in the death of his wife, authorities said.<br/><br/>John James "J.J." Paulsen, 47, a writer and producer on "Cosby,"

Thursday, May 3rd 2007, 10:14 pm

By: News On 6

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- A TV comedy writer and producer was charged Thursday with murder in the death of his wife, authorities said.

John James "J.J." Paulsen, 47, a writer and producer on "Cosby," "In Living Color" and other shows, has been held in jail since his wife's decomposing body was discovered April 18 in the couple's upscale home in Carmel, north of Indianapolis.

Leanne Serrano-Paulsen, 39, had been beaten to death and was dead for at least a week before her body was found, according to her autopsy report.

When officers entered the home, they found the couple's 16-month-old son, Christopher, alone in a crib, crying but unharmed, authorities said.

J.J. Paulsen, who was found walking along a street about three miles away, was arrested on charges of child abandonment and violation of probation, authorities said.

Paulsen pleaded guilty in January to domestic battery. Police said Serrano-Paulsen called police twice last year after she was beaten by her husband.

Jail officials did not know whether Paulsen had an attorney.