An ’00 graduate of Syracuse University and Fordham University Law School was charged with burglary and murder Aug. 29 for allegedly forcibly entering a neighbor’s home and stabbing his neighbor to death.

Jonathan Edington, a patent law attorney in Fairfield, Conn., is said to have stabbed Barry James approximately a dozen times in the chest. Edington was released the following day on $1 million bail.

Fairfield police responded to two 911 calls on Aug. 18 at 4:38 p.m. indicating an altercation between two individuals, said Capt. Gary MacNamara of the Fairfield Police Department.

When police entered James’ home, they found him on the floor bleeding from multiple stab wounds, Capt. MacNamara said. He was transported to Bridgeport Hospital and died there at 5:42 p.m.

While officers responded to James’ residence, other officers were led to Edington’s residence next door from witnesses who claimed Edington was the one responsible for the stabbing, Capt. MacNamara said. Police entered Edington’s home and found him standing in his kitchen with blood on his person.

A large kitchen knife was sitting on the counter next to him, according to The Connecticut Post.

Fairfield police are continuing to investigate the incident, focusing their investigation on what happened and why the incident occurred, MacNamara said.

From the information gathered to date, MacNamara said he is led to believe that Edington received information prior to the incident that James had sexually assaulted a member of Edington’s family.

‘It is important to understand we have not received any formal complaint of inappropriate behavior or conduct occurring between James and Edington’s (family member),’ MacNamara said. ‘But we do believe Edington did receive information, just prior to the act, which led him to believe an incident did occur between James and Edington’s (family member).’

Michael Sherman, Edington’s attorney for the bail hearing, could not be reached for comment; however, a representative from Sherman’s law office said Sherman only represented Edington for the bail hearing and will not proceed further in the case.

Peter Ambrose, an attorney for James’ family, could not be reached for comment; however, Nancy Milewski, legal assistant to Ambrose, provided the following written statement from Ambrose:

‘In this time of unthinkable sorrow and shock, we have had to interrupt our grieving process to respond to the unsubstantiated allegations against Barry,’ the statement read. ‘Such statements are weighing heavily on his family in light of their already burdensome suffering. Historically, Barry’s character has been one of a caring and compassionate nature. During this time of grief they are shocked and dismayed at the allegations being made against him.’

Kevin Morrow, director of SU news services, said Edington transferred to SU in 1998 and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.

Edington is to appear at Bridgeport Superior Court September 12 at 9:30 a.m., according to a court representative.

Published on September 3, 2006 at 12:00 pm