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)
Jurors review evidence in NJ fat defense case
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)
HACKENSACK, N.J.—No verdict was reached Thursday in the trial of a Florida man who claims he was too fat to have killed his former son-in-law, but jurors asked to review key evidence in the New Jersey case.
Edward Ates (AYTZ') says he didn't have the energy to accurately shoot Paul Duncsak (DUNS'-kak) and make a quick getaway. The 62-year-old was 285 pounds when Duncsak was killed in 2006.
The victim and Ates' daughter were involved in a custody dispute after their divorce.
Prosecutors say Ates drove from Florida to Duncsak's home in New Jersey, climbed a staircase and shot him before fleeing to Louisiana.
Jurors asked to review Ates' testimony, wiretapped phone calls between Ates and his sister and testimony from a neighbor who said he saw Ates' car at his mother's house the night of the murder.
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