Raids at home, office of April Kauffman's husband not connected to murder, prosecutor says
LINWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) -- The physician husband of April Kauffman, the New Jersey radio host slain in 2012, brandished a handgun as agents executed search warrants Tuesday at his office and home, authorities said.
The county prosecutor said the raids weren't connected to the wife's slaying.
As police and FBI agents executed a search warrant at Dr. James Kauffman's Egg Harbor Township office and at his Linwood home, Kauffman displayed a Ruger 9mm handgun and a 45-minute standoff ensued, the Atlantic County prosecutor's office said.
Authorities say Kauffman threatened to shoot himself and police.
"We were able to talk him off the ledge," said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner. "He was taken to a psychiatric program. He is under arrest as we continue to investigate the charges that were filed against him in connection with possession of a weapon."
Tyner confirmed the raids weren't linked to the slaying of April Kauffman.
"We look to get a lot of answers that we currently don't have now," Tyner said.
James Kauffman's lawyer told Action News, "the constant pressure of being a suspect in a homicide he did not commit has overwhelmed him. It's taking a toll."
"He's guilty of something," April Kauffman's friend, Lee Darby, said. "Normal people don't just pull a gun and do a standoff with police. I mean that's just crazy."
The prosecutor's office said the search warrants were issued as investigators probe "all leads pertaining to suspected criminal activity."
"Finally it seems there's activity and motion within this case," said April Kauffman's daughter, Kimberly Pack. "Again, you remain cautiously optimistic. You don't want to get overly excited or happy about anything that's going on."
April Kauffman, 47, was found dead on May 10, 2012, inside her bedroom in their Linwood home and had gunshot wounds. Authorities said a handyman made the discovery.
No one has ever been charged.
The day before her death, she co-hosted "The King Arthur Show" on radio station WIBG, a show she had appeared on weekly for at least several months. Authorities believe the killing had nothing to do with her work on the radio.
Last month, Tyner sought permission from a judge to obtain a DNA sample from the endocrinologist, who has since remarried. The judge's decision remains sealed.
Attorneys for Kimberly Pack have filed a motion pushing for more information about the investigation to be released.
Pack is in a legal battle with her stepfather that was sparked by his attempts to claim April Kauffman's two life insurance policies.
His claim was turned down because the prosecutor's office couldn't provide a letter saying he wasn't considered a suspect in April Kauffman's killing.
Pack's attorney filed a document alleging that James Kauffman is responsible for April Kauffman's death.
James Kauffman has denied involvement and a trial is pending.
A message was left seeking comment from his lawyer.
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