Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner Solves Cold Case April Kauffman Murder

Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner
Solves Cold Case April Kauffman Murder

By HARRY HURLEY
Political Columnist

Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner has described James Kauffman as a “one man crime spree. “Tyner is a very measured man. He’s not one for hyperbole.

However, when you charge a man for plotting to kill his wife (April Kauffman) and for running a drug ring (through Kauffman’s medical practice) with The Pagans; It has all of the making of a made-for-television movie. This placed the once cold case in the realm of truth is stranger than fiction.

According to Tyner, after Kauffman was arrested in June, 2017, the man (Ferdinand Augello) who Kauffman allegedly hired to kill his wife, wanted Kauffman killed in prison after his arrest. Tyner believes that Augello felt that Kauffman would implicate him in April Kauffman’s murder.

In light of the threat on Kauffman’s life, Tyner moved him far away to a different prison. Tyner prevailed at the Thursday, January 18, 2017 Detention hearing before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury. Both Kauffman and Augello will remain in prison, pending their trials.

Several reliable sources have confirmed to me that these criminal trials are a year or more away.

April Kauffman was murdered on May 10, 2012, at approximately 11:30 a.m. at her residence in Linwood, New Jersey. James Kauffman reported the Linwood Police Department that he found his wife deceased. April Kauffman was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m., in the second floor master bedroom as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.

It remained a disturbingly cold murder case until former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appointed Tyner 10 months ago.

What stayed ice cold for five years was solved by Tyner and his various local, county, state and federal partners in just 10 months. This was no accident. The former Prosecutor, James McClain is friends with and was a former patient of James Kauffman.

During the entire time that McClain was the Prosecutor, no recognizable work was being done on the April Kauffman murder. FBI Special Agent Daniel A. Garrabrant was integral in keeping this investigation alive, while McClain appeared to be “slow-walking” it here at the County level.

Multiple reliable sources have confirmed to me that McClain would not even permit his staff to work on the April Kauffman murder case on their own time. When the time is right, McClain must answer some very serious questions about why he didn’t do more.

The driving force and the face of this case is Damon Tyner. The lead investigators are Garrabrant and Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Sgt. James Scoppa, Jr. They have both done a highly credible job, especially considering the disadvantage they were placed by McClain.

It is very fortunate that Tyner came along when he did. People involved in this case are getting older and the alleged killer of April Kauffman (Francis Mullholland) died on October 8, 2013 of a heroin drug overdose.

Had McClain continued for several more years in his former job, it is my strong belief that this case may have never been solved. McClain left his job as Atlantic County Prosecutor after being nominated/appointed to be a New Jersey Superior Court Judge.   

Tyner obviously has some very good sources regarding why the murder of April Kauffman occurred. Tyner has confirmed the following: April Kauffman wanted a divorce. James Kauffman did not. Tyner alleges that James Kauffman “would rather kill April Kauffman than grant the divorce and lose half his empire.”

Tyner further has confirmed that April Kauffman was prepared to “spend as much money as possible until a divorce was granted; expose the fraudulent practices taking place at Kauffman’s medical office, which allegedly was an illegal Oxy distribution network,” that James Kauffman had established according to Tyner.

Tyner has successfully brought forward the following criminal charges:

James Kauffman has been charged with: 1st degree Racketeering, 1st degree Leader and Murder.

Augello has been charged with: 1st degree Leader, 1st degree  Murder (April Kauffman), conspiracy to commit the murder of James Kauffman and 1st degree Racketeering.

Six others have been charged with various Racketeering charges.

It’s been a heartbreaking and gut wrenching almost six years for April Kauffman’s Daughter, Kimberly. She’s had to endure the loss of her Mother. She’s had to deal with no progress being made for almost 6 years. She had to live with the pain and anguish of James Kauffman auctioning away her Mother’s belongings on the internet.

Yet, Pack has dealt with a life-shattering event with poise and dignity and grace and elegance. Some how, now that closure is finally on the not-too-distant horizon, Pack is taking an approach of “forgiveness.”

This is remarkable and it speaks to Pack’s character. She has all of the fight that her Mother possessed. She also possesses profound class and decency. You rarely see this in today’s ever more violent and caustic atmosphere that exists in our country these days.