John James "J.J." Paulsen (born November 23, 1959) is an American sitcom writer, television producer, and convicted murderer. He has written for several television programs including Cosby, In Living Color and Grace Under Fire. On December 23, 2008, Paulsen pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. On March 27 of the following year, Paulsen was sentenced to 26 years in prison He was incarcerated at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, Indiana and released early on September 12, 2016.