New Jersey doctor in wife-slay case found dead in jail

<p>Officials say a New Jersey doctor accused of arranging the murder of his radio host wife to keep her from exposing a drug ring&nbsp;has been found dead in his jail cell.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 26, 2018, 6:24 PM

Updated 2,298 days ago

Share:

By WAYNE PARRY
Associated Press
(AP) -- A New Jersey doctor accused of arranging the slaying of his radio host wife to keep her from exposing a drug distribution ring he was running with an outlaw biker gang was found dead in his jail cell Friday in an apparent suicide.
Authorities did not release details of how Dr. James Kauffman died but say there does not appear to be foul play. He was found alone in his cell at the Hudson County jail during a routine check of prisoners, and corrections officers checked on him when he did not respond, county spokesman James Kennelly told The Associated Press.
Kauffman was charged with arranging the 2012 killing of his wife, April, to prevent her from exposing an illegal drug distribution ring he was running with the Pagans biker gang.
He had been the subject of death threats after his arrest, prompting his transfer from the Atlantic County Jail in Mays Landing, New Jersey, to the Hudson County jail nearly 100 miles north. Authorities said the switch was made for his own protection.
A co-defendant in the case also is charged with trying to have Kauffman killed behind bars to prevent him from coming to trial.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


More from News 12
Car flips off Garden State Parkway in Elmwood Park, narrowly misses hitting a house; 1 seriously injured

Car flips off Garden State Parkway in Elmwood Park, narrowly misses hitting a house; 1 seriously injured

2:28
Reports of shots fired in Newark neighborhood

Reports of shots fired in Newark neighborhood

1:58
Mostly sunny today with highs near 70 in New Jersey; rain returns Tuesday

Mostly sunny today with highs near 70 in New Jersey; rain returns Tuesday

Jury selection to begin in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez

Jury selection to begin in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez

2:32
‘You hurt a family.’ Kane In Your Corner reveals animal rescue concerns about Pixies and Paws

‘You hurt a family.’ Kane In Your Corner reveals animal rescue concerns about Pixies and Paws

0:17
Prosecutors: Paterson man accused of murder surrenders himself

Prosecutors: Paterson man accused of murder surrenders himself

1:39
Multiple Bloomfield police cars totaled following Newark crash

Multiple Bloomfield police cars totaled following Newark crash

0:20
Police: 3 firefighters injured in Trenton house fire

Police: 3 firefighters injured in Trenton house fire

1:55
Made In New Jersey: How this Plainfield native created her business TinkyPoo diapers

Made In New Jersey: How this Plainfield native created her business TinkyPoo diapers

0:28
Little Falls native Chris Gotterup wins Myrtle Beach Classic for 1st PGA Tour title

Little Falls native Chris Gotterup wins Myrtle Beach Classic for 1st PGA Tour title

0:36
Spending time outdoors? Here are 20 tips to prevent tick bites.

Spending time outdoors? Here are 20 tips to prevent tick bites.

2:38
Rutgers University students brave the rain for Class of 2024 graduation ceremony

Rutgers University students brave the rain for Class of 2024 graduation ceremony

0:30
Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4

Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4

1:49
New Jersey families celebrate the women in their lives on Mother's Day

New Jersey families celebrate the women in their lives on Mother's Day

0:20
Prosecutor: Lower Township woman arrested for death of her 6-month-old son

Prosecutor: Lower Township woman arrested for death of her 6-month-old son

0:27
Police: Motorcyclist killed in Egg Harbor Township crash

Police: Motorcyclist killed in Egg Harbor Township crash

0:15
Police: Multi-vehicle crash in Elizabeth leaves 5 people injured

Police: Multi-vehicle crash in Elizabeth leaves 5 people injured

0:30
Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4

Haliburton, Pacers take advantage of short-handed Knicks to even series with 121-89 rout in Game 4

2:46
Pro-Palestinian hunger strike at Princeton University marks 1 week

Pro-Palestinian hunger strike at Princeton University marks 1 week

1:39
Senate bill would limit harmful heavy metals in baby food

Senate bill would limit harmful heavy metals in baby food