Crime & Safety

Union County Man Fatally Stabbed Girlfriend About 100 Times: UCPO

A jury convicted Anthony James, 57, Plainfield on all counts connected with the crime. He faces a sentence of up to life in state prison.

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A Union County man was found guilty on all counts for fatally stabbing his girlfriend nearly 100 times following an argument in 2011, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Wednesday.

Anthony James, 57, Plainfield was convicted of murder and two related weapons offenses in connection with the death of 48-year-old Audrey Tanksley following a three-week trial and about 45 minutes of jury deliberation on Tuesday.

Plainfield Police responded to a 911 call placed by James claiming he found Tanksley's body in the home they shared on the 300 block of East Seventh Street in Plainfield on Sept. 28, 2011 at around 5 p.m., according to Union County Assistant Prosecutors Scott Peterson and Alaina Caliendo, who prosecuted the case.

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James was arrested at the scene, Monahan said.

James claimed at trial that Tanksley was the aggressor, however Dr. Zhongxue Hua of the Division of the County Medical Examiner testified that the victim had been stabbed nearly 100 times, Monahan reported.

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James is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, March 29, at which time he will face a term of up to life in state prison.

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