South Jersey Murder Case Jumpstarts Debate on New Jersey Gun Laws

Police were able to identify the Berlin man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, and a judge was able to issue an arrest warrant, after viewing video from a surveillance system installed in the victim’s home, the Courier Post reports.

The system captured the attack in which 45-year-old Michael Eitel allegedly stabbed 39-year-old Carol Browne in her driveway on June 4, according to the report.

The State of New Jersey was in the process of approving her application for a gun permit, and legislation introduced following her murder calls for expedited responses to those who have a restraining order and are applying for gun permits, according to the report.

Browne had a restraining order against Eitel.

However, the video raises new questions because she was attacked outside when she was coming home and before she went in her house, according to the report. Under state law, she would not have been permitted to carry a loaded weapon in her car.

Police found Browne outside her home suffering from multiple stab wounds around 10:17 p.m. Thursday night. Bowne was transported to Virtua Hospital in Berlin, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries at 11:22 p.m.

Police searched for Eitel until Sunday, when they found him dead of an apparent suicide in the empty home of another ex-girlfriend.

Read more at courierpostonline.com.

The attached image of Michael Eitel was previously provided by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office