Burlington City man accused of knifing stepfather to death

A Burlington City man who allegedly stabbed his stepfather to death Tuesday is charged with first-degree murder by Burlington County authorities.

Stephen J. Paul, 43, is also charged with third- and fourth-degree weapons counts, and is detained in the Burlington County Jail, according to information from County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Burlington City Police Chief Alan Snow.

The body of Edward Williams, 70, of Westampton, was found with upper-body lacerations in Paul's East Broad Street apartment, said investigators, who also said that they recovered the knife in the dwelling.

The Prosecutor's office said that police were called to Paul's apartment on East Broad Street at about 2:30 PM, by a relative who believed Williams to be in the apartment, but who was turned away at the door by Paul.

Paul allowed investigators to enter and underwent arrest without incident, authorities said. An autopsy is to be conducted today. Detedtives are trying to discover a motive.

Leading the investigation are Detective Timothy Van Fossen for the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, and Detective Robert O'Brien for Burlington City Police Department.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.