Ex-father-in-law charged with killing

HACKENSACK, N.J., June 13 (UPI) -- The former father-in-law of a New Jersey businessman shot dead in his home has been charged with his murder.

New Jersey investigators say Edward Ates of Fort Pierce, Fla., lived for a week at a campground in Pennsylvania under a false name in August 2006 while he stalked and killed Paul Duncsak of Ramsey, The (Bergen) Record reported. Ramsey was talking to his girlfriend on the phone when the line went silent, and police, called to the house, found him dead on the floor.

Ates, a retired Defense Department employee, and his wife Dottie were arrested Tuesday in Fort Pierce. His mother and sister were arrested in Louisiana. Ates was being held in Florida pending an extradition hearing.

While Ates faces charges of murder, felony murder and burglary, the three women are charged with impeding the investigation by giving police incomplete information. Police in Louisiana say Myra Barnes, Ates' 83-year-old mother, had loaded handguns in her car and nightstand.

Ates' daughter, Stacy Walker, and her ex-husband were involved in a nasty child custody dispute, the newspaper said.