Assistant Essex County Prosecutor William Neafsey said the new charge was tacked on after investigators learned that, hours prior to Paul’s slaying at the Helen & Bill Geyer YMCA Family Center on Glenridge Avenue, she and Duckett had a face-to-face quarrel. Where the confrontation occurred, and what it was about, remains under investigation, Neafsey told The Times.

But, under the terms of a restraining order obtained by Paul, of Montclair, the mother of Duckett’s two children, the suspect was not allowed to be within four blocks of her at any time, even when picking up and dropping off 11-year-old Essence and 5-year-old Noah.

Duckett is also charged with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He could face from 30 years to life in prison if convicted on the murder charge alone, Neafsey said.

According to police, Duckett fired multiple shots into Paul’s torso at the Family Center as she and Essence watched Noah swim in an indoor pool.

The suspect was on the run for 12 days from an intensive manhunt that eventually involved the U.S. Marshals Service, and he was found hiding out in an apartment in Brooklyn last Tuesday, July 8, police said. Investigators have not determined how long he spent in Brooklyn during his flight from the law, or where else he might have been.

His arrest was achieved peacefully, and Duckett was taken to a New York Police Department precinct in the Bronx while authorities in New Jersey worked to have him brought across the Hudson.

Last week, Duckett waived an extradition hearing and this past Tuesday, July 15, local authorities transported him to the Essex County Jail, where he was held until his hearing yesterday, during which he pled not guilty.

Neafsey told The Times after the hearing that Duckett has not done any talking to detectives since he was escorted back to Essex County. "He’s exercising his constitutional right" to remain silent, said the assistant prosecutor.

Yesterday morning, Duckett also tried to avoid speaking, or even making an appearance, at his arraignment at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse in Newark.

His public defender, Al Kapin, requested that Superior Court Judge Peter J. Vazquez allow Duckett to miss the arraignment, since Duckett was improperly dressed for the hearing and did not want to appear in front of photographers. Kapin told the judge he had made his client aware of his rights and the charges against him, negating the need for him to appear.

Neafsey objected, arguing that the case was too significant for the defendant to skip his first court date. Plus, he said that he feared Duckett might later claim he was not fully or properly informed of the details of the case against him.

Vazquez turned down the defense’s proposal, saying "if he’s going to waive, he’s going to tell me in person."

But then Kapin further requested that the judge enter the cellblock to speak with Duckett privately, or that the photographers and TV news cameramen in the courtroom be prohibited from recording and snapping pictures.

After Vazquez refused both proposals, Duckett was led into the room in an orange prisoner’s jumpsuit, his hands cuffed in front of him.

Quietly, Duckett gave single-word answers to the judge’s questions before leaving the room.

Prior to the hearing, 10 friends and family members, including Monica Paul’s father, Leonel Paul, and her sister, Lauren Paul, were led into the courtroom by Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow, who sat with them during the arraignment.

The family said nothing throughout the hearing, and during a press availability held afterward, Dow said relatives did not wish to make any public comments, since the situation was too emotional and painful.

Contact Dan Prochilo at prochilo@montclairtimes.com.