Edward Ates Convicted Of Murder Despite Weight Defense
Friday November 6, 2009 3:34 p.m.
In this undated photo released by the Trenton, NJ prosecutor's office on Oct. 28, 2009, Edward Ates is shown. Jury deliberations got under way Thursday Nov. 2009 in New Jersey for the Florida man, accused of killing his son-in-law, arguing that he was unable to commit the crime because he was too fat. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Trenton Prosecutor Office) NO SALES
HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey jury has rejected a Florida man's claims that he was too fat to kill his former son-in-law and has convicted him of murder. The jury of eight women and four men issued its verdict against Edward Ates on Friday, its second day of deliberations after a trial that lasted more than a month.
Ates said he didn't have the energy to accurately shoot his former son-in-law and make a quick getaway to Louisiana.
The 62-year-old was 285 pounds when Paul Duncsak was killed in 2006.
Prosecutors said Ates drove from Florida to Duncsak's home in New Jersey, climbed a staircase and shot the 40-year-old.
The victim and Ates' daughter were involved in a bitter custody dispute after their divorce.
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