MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Burlington City resident pled guilty today in Superior Court to fatally stabbing his stepfather last year inside an apartment in the 100 block of East Broad Street in Burlington City.
Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Stephen J. Paul, 44, pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter (First Degree) in exchange for a sentence of 30 years in New Jersey state prison.
Paul told the Hon. Philip E. Haines, J.S.C., that he stabbed Edward Williams, 70, multiple times during a physical confrontation at Paul’s residence on August 1, 2017. Williams, a Westampton resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for May 24, 2018.
The investigation began after police were called to the apartment by a relative who suspected the victim was inside, but was denied access to the residence by Paul.
Burlington City Police entered the apartment with Paul’s permission and discovered the body of the victim. Paul was taken into custody without incident.
An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined Williams died from multiple stab wounds.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy M. Lackey.
The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Burlington City Police Department, with assistance from the Westampton Township Police Department. The lead investigators were BCPO Detective Timothy Van Fossen and Burlington City Police Detective Robert O’Brien.