By: Yuritza Arroyo
Union County authorities announced that a jury has returned a guilty verdict against a man for the stabbing death of his girlfriend in 2011.
According to officials, Anthony James, 62, of Plainfield, was found guilty on Tuesday on one count of first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon following a 5-week trial.
Officials say the jury deliberated for a day and a half before returning its verdict.
At approximately 5 pm on September 28, 2011, Plainfield Police patrol units responded to James’ home on the 300 block of East Seventh Street in Plainfield – in response to a 9-1-1 call made by James -- and found the body of 48-year-old Audrey Tanksley.
According to authorities, this was a retrial after the Appellate Division remanded the matter for a new trial after his first conviction in 2019.
Sentencing for this case has been scheduled for June 23, at which time James can face a sentence of up to life in state prison.