PLAINFIELD, NJ – Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced today that a 62-year-old man from Plainfield, Anthony James, has been found guilty of first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon in the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Audrey Tanksley, in 2011. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by a Union County jury following a five-week trial before Union County Superior Court Judge John Deitch. The jury deliberated for a day and a half before reaching its verdict.
On September 28, 2011, at around 5 pm, Plainfield Police officers were called to James’ residence on the 300 block of East Seventh Street in Plainfield after he made a 9-1-1 call. When they arrived, they discovered the body of 48-year-old Audrey Tanksley. Prosecutors Alaina Caliendo and Nicholas Hooker presented evidence at the trial that led to James’ conviction.
This case was a retrial ordered by the Appellate Division, which had remanded the case for a new trial after James was initially convicted in 2019.
Anthony James faces a potential sentence of life in state prison, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 23, 2023, before Judge John Deitch.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision and praised the work of the Plainfield Police Department and Assistant Prosecutors Caliendo and Hooker.