Doctor accused of dealing drugs, arranging murder dies in jail

A New Jersey doctor accused of arranging the slaying of his radio host wife to keep her from exposing a drug distribution ring he was running with an outlaw biker gang was found dead in his jail cell Friday in an apparent suicide.

Authorities did not release details of how Dr. James Kauffman died, but they said they suspected suicide and didn’t see signs of foul play. He was found alone in his cell at the Hudson County jail, and guards checked on him when he did not respond, county spokesman James Kennelly told The Associated Press.

In June, when he was arrested on weapons and obstruction charges, Kauffman held police at bay at his medical office, pointing a gun at his chest and threatening to kill himself, yelling “I’m not going to jail for this!” before surrendering.

Earlier this month, Kauffman was charged with arranging the 2012 killing of his wife, April, to prevent her from exposing an illegal drug distribution ring he was running with the Pagans biker gang. Several others were charged along with him for either their alleged roles in the killing, or in the drug distribution ring. Each defendant has maintained innocence of the charges.

Kauffman had been the subject of death threats after his arrest, prompting his transfer from the Atlantic County Jail in Mays Landing, New Jersey, to the Hudson County jail, near New York City. Authorities said the switch was made for his own protection.

A co-defendant in the case also is charged with trying to have Kauffman killed behind bars to prevent him from coming to trial.