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Jury took three days to return verdict

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced Thursday Kenneth Duckett, 39, of Orange was found guilty by an Essex County Jury. Duckett was convicted of murdering the mother of his two children, Monica Paul, 31, of Montclair. Duckett was also convicted of two weapons offenses.

The trial began on Dec. 1. Assistant Prosecutors Rachel Gran and Gina Iosim tried the case before the Judge Joseph Cassini, 3rd.

The jury deliberated for more than three days before returning a verdict just before 4 p.m. today.

"We are very pleased for the family and we appreciate the attention the jury gave to this case,'' said Assistant Prosecutor Iosim.

Duckett came to the Montclair YMCA on June 26, 2008. He walked to an observation area where he got into a verbal altercation with his ex-girlfriend. While she watched their 4-year-old son swim, Duckett pulled out a gun and shot her six times at close range. Their 11-year-old daughter was seated near her mother at the time of the murder.

Following the return of the guilty verdict, Judge Cassini revoked Duckett's bail and scheduled sentencing for Feb. 1, 2011.

"While we believe justice was done in this case, this remains a very sad case of a mother who was senselessly killed in the prime of her life,'' said Acting Prosecutor Laurino.

— NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM