Radio host April Kauffman’s killer gets life sentence

A man convicted in the 2012 slaying of an American radio host in a plot to silence her has finally been sentenced.

James Kauffman was found dead in his cell in January in an apparent suicide.

A man convicted in the slaying of a New Jersey radio show host in a plot to prevent her from exposing a drug ring has been sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

Ferdinand Augello continued to maintain his innocence when he was sentenced Wednesday, AP reports. He was convicted in October on murder, conspiracy, racketeering and other counts in the May 2012 shooting death of talk-show host April Kauffman, 47.

She was shot twice, and her body was found by a handyman.

Atlantic County prosecutors say Augello and the woman’s husband, Dr James Kauffman, wanted to stop her from exposing an illegal prescription opioid drug ring allegedly run by the doctor and the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

James Kauffman was found dead in his cell in January in an apparent suicide.

Defence lawyer Mary Linehan and Augello questioned the reliability of Andrew Glick, the state’s witnesses. They said the state’s evidence points to Glick, a former gang official turned informant.

James Kauffman was charged in January with paying a hitman to kill his wife more than six years ago.

Another five people connected to the gang were charged with racketeering in the drug ring, which prosecutors said continued until last summer, when Kauffman was arrested at his office while brandishing a gun.

Kauffman “was intent to have her killed, as opposed to losing his financial empire,” Atlantic County prosecutor Damon Tyner said in January.

Prior to his death, Kauffman had long maintained his innocence and denied any involvement in his wife’s murder, his lawyer Ed Jacobs told Philly.com.

Kim Pack shares the secret message her mom April Kauffman left her before she was killed in alleged murder-for-hire plot: “It reminds me that my mom is with me all the time.” #ABC2020 https://t.co/BccJlDelLV pic.twitter.com/Pztv7SZ6sT

— 20/20 (@ABC2020) June 23, 2018

Ms Kauffman’s daughter, Kimberly Pack, who had long alleged that her stepfather killed her mother, said the death “forever changed my life.”

“I have been waiting patiently for justice, and today I was lucky enough to be granted justice,” Ms Pack said after the gang members were charged. “I think for the first time, today I can actually breathe.”

Kim Pack poses with a photo of her late mother, talk-show host April Kauffman. Picture: AP

Ms Pack had earlier fought a legal battle against her stepfather sparked by his attempts to claim Ms Kauffman’s two life insurance policies. His claim was turned down because prosecutors couldn’t provide a letter saying he wasn’t considered a suspect.

In the summer of 2011, Ms Kauffman wanted a divorce and after her husband objected she threatened to expose the drug ring, Mr Tyner said.

He added that Kauffman told Augello about his wife’s threats and solicited him to have her killed.

After about a year, the man who agreed to do it, Francis Mullholland, was driven to the home and handed a gun, authorities said.

Mr Tyner said Mullholland, who said he got about $US20,000 in cash, was later found dead of a drug overdose.

Ms Kauffman was a local businesswoman who hosted weekly talk shows and advocated for military veterans. She had received a governor’s award for outstanding community service a few days before her death.

— with AP

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