Man convicted of felony murder in shooting death of ex-wife

A southern New Jersey man has been convicted on felony murder in the fatal shooting of his ex-wife, who was killed just days after she told authorities he was stalking her.

Gloucester County prosecutors say Charles Sawyer faces several decades in prison when he's sentenced April 12. A county jury convicted the 62-year-old Glassboro man on Friday after deliberating for less than three hours.

Authorities say 53-year-old Rita Sawyer was shot at point-blank range in the living room of her Glassboro home in July 2012. She had told Glassboro police a few days earlier that her ex-husband was stalking and harassing her, but never filed for a restraining order.

The couple had been divorced since 2004.

Besides the felony murder charge, Charles Sawyer also was convicted of murder, kidnapping, burglary, theft, aggravated assault, threat to kill and two weapons counts.
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