Love Triangle Led To 2011 Murder Of Teaneck Man, Prosecutor Says
Prosecutor says additional arrest is possible
TEANECK, NJ -- A jealous husband was behind the killing of a Teaneck man who was found shot to death last year in his charred Elm Avenue home, authorities charged Friday.
Sui Kam “Tony” Tung, 49, faces first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder and aggravated arson charges in the March 2011 death of Robert Cantor, according to a statement released Friday night by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Tung confronted Cantor at his home late the night of March 6, 2011 after learning of an affair between Tung’s estranged wife and Cantor, Prosecutor John Molinelli said in the statement. Tung first learned of the relationship in 2010 and began stalking Cantor, eventually confronting him in Teaneck the night before he was found shot and his Elm Avenue home ablaze, authorities said.
“At the time of the murder, the victim was estranged from his wife and in the process of a divorce," Molinelli said in the statement. "Cantor had been actively involved in a romantic relationship with Tony Tung’s wife, who during the course of that relationship initiated divorce proceedings against Tung."
Tung, of York Avenue in Manhattan, had gone to Cantor's home three times before the fatal March confrontation, Molinelli said Friday night. He said the date of the killing was significant to Cantor and Tung’s wife.
More charges were possible as the investigation continues, Molinelli said.
"We have reason to believe that someone else maybe had been involved or complicit," Molinelli said. He said it was possible another person was at least aware of the crime, but would not elaborate.
Molinelli said the murder weapon has not been found, and declined to detail evidence in the case. He said detectives recently came upon evidence leading to the arrest.
Larry Seltzer, who knew Cantor for more than 20 years, said news of the arrest came as a relief and he had suspected Tung was the killer.
"It seemed for a great while that he was getting away with murder," he said. "It's been something that I've been waiting for."
Cantor's friends have said they knew who was behind the murder and believed it was motivated by jealousy.
The killing sparked an outcry from some of Cantor’s friends who criticized Molinelli’s office over its handling of the case. The group hired a former NYPD detective and lobbied Gov. Chris Christie to intervene.
Molinelli defended his office's handling of the murder probe, saying dozens of investigators had stayed on the case in the days leading up to the arrest.
"We always want to make sure when we file charges that we do it the right way," he said.
Neighbors at Tung's New York City building said they didn't know him well.
An employee at a nearby store, who declined to be identified, said Tung was often seen outside his apartment each morning.
"I usually see him outside, but not this morning," the worker said late Friday.
Tung owned a computer repair store on Manhattan's Upper West Side, she said.
Tung was being held on $3 million bail at the Manhattan Detention Complex, pending an extradition hearing, authorities said. Molinelli thanked detectives from the Prosecutor's Office, Teaneck Police and the NYPD for their work on the case and arrest.
The killing was one of two brutal murders in Teaneck since August 2010 involving arson. Outspoken resident Joan Davis was found stabbed and beaten after her Alpine Drive home was set ablaze. The killings left Teaneck residents on edge and prompted calls for justice, however, authorities stressed the crimes were not linked.
Don't Care To Joint
10:25 pm on Friday, May 4, 2012
Author said "Tung killed resident Robert Cantor...." Any responsible journalist would not have wriiten it this way. The man is innocent until proven guilty. He hasn't gone into a trial yet. So he is just an alleged killer.
Tom Troncone
12:44 am on Saturday, May 5, 2012
The words after the comma are called "attribution," which means "this is who said this."
Eric Fettmann
11:06 pm on Friday, May 4, 2012
No, it says "Tung killed resident Robert Cantor ... Prosecutor John Molinelli said in the statement." It's not a statement of fact -- it's attributed to the prosecutor. Read more carefully.
george reskakis dds
8:09 am on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Who cares guys, you are arguing grammar??!! Important point is that an unsolved murder has a significant suspect. It is about time some answers can be given to the family and friends, not to mention the community at large.
John Doe
12:26 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
He had been considered a suspect for some time by Rob's friends and family. The investigation took a very long time. Hopefully all of the T's are crossed and I's dotted so we can put this tragedy behind us as best as possible.
jade moose
3:00 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Just another real example that people that have been betrayed by a spouse just does not 'get over it'. Like all the new politically correct gurus want to believe can happened. The scar is there forever. Some can supress their pain of betrayal better than others, however, it eventually surfaces in other maladaptive behaviour.
Shanaya
12:03 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
Did Tung's wife considered him as a suspect and notify authority? How did Tung knows where Rob lived if she didn't tell him? Could she had set him up to help get a restraining order to keep him away from their kids while she begin to file for divorce?
HornyToad
12:36 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Was the wife cleared of any wrongdoing?
Boyd A. Loving
10:50 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
I wonder if we can expect an arrest in the unsolved murder of Joan Davis anytime soon.
Greg Leggett
12:39 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Unless it was you that was wrongly accused!
MG
12:41 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
yeah, the guy committed a crime by killing him.....allegedly, however, if he did it and it was because the dude was messing with his wife, then I shed no tears for him. The guy deserved to be shot, IMHO. People act like they bear no responsibility for what they do to others and that you can just do what you want without reprisals. Glad there were reprisals in this instance.
Alicia78
1:31 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
It says very clearly that they were estranged and in the process of a divorce...he's a crazy jealous ex and this is a very sad story
Miss77
2:49 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
you shouldn't mess with a married person but to lose your life over it is ridiculous just as killing the other person over a cheating spouse is not worth going to prison! If they cheated on you to begin with it is NOT worth giving away your freedom for that person when you already gave them too much of you already that they did not deserve to start with! Also these two were getting divorced she was moving on with her life with this other man it was not an affair on her husband! Once you are separated and getting divorced you are NOT together and anyone messing with you is not cheating in the slightest! NO ONE deserves to die for falling in love with a NOW single person! He was NOT responsible for their problems and does NOT deserve to die for them! You should get it straight!
bb
7:20 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
MG you are correct, if i was sitting on the jury i would not convict him on anything other than maybe manslaughter. mess around with peoples emotions, and anything can happen.
Joe Johnson
11:42 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
I hope you don;t have any family to speak of .. brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, cousins, aunts, uncles, neices .. etc .. I mean if any of them happen to get involved with a married person or with a person in another commited relationship and they should unfortunelty be shot over it .. I'm sure it won't bother you in the least because .. they deserved it after all
edouard
1:14 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
The guy is not guilty of grammar assault! With malice aforethought, he did seek and sought, surveilled, the now deceased and ended his life. That conduct is enough to be a guilty act. He did not allegedly do the crime he did do it, in fact and evidence!
steven hughes
1:28 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
The moral of the story, Don't mess with another man's wife or pay the consequences.
JAD
2:55 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Are we living in Afghanastan? Infedelity (which if you took the time to read the article his wife was estranged and filed for divorce) is now punishable by death?
Maybe we can just start stoning those who are unfaithful to their spouse in the town square.
Tee Smyth
4:33 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Alicia, no. It clearly states that the decedent and his wife were estranged. The alleged murderer and his wife began divorce proceedings after her affair with the decedent began. Be that as it may, that's no excuse for murder. How utterly awful for the family to have the tawdry details revealed.
Ji Yun Chen
9:13 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Alright listen up, on the night of the "murder" tony tung was with his daughter. He does not care about anything but his daughters. No he was not driven by jealousy, tony tung is a loving and caring man. Its obvious that Cantors friends would blame someone they dont know but did anyone ever stop to think it could have been Cantor's wife???
follow-up question
4:01 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012
where were YOU on the night of the murder and arson? pls record the i.p. number of the computer that sent that post immediately above...
delgado
9:49 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Umm, what about all the difficult accusations and even an organized protest going after the County Prosecutor and then tying it into to politcs? How about those people who were accused and now it is announced that it appears the "political" Democrat Prosecutor got the person... Will there be a protest to say the first protest was a mistake?
Joe Johnson
11:32 am on Friday, May 11, 2012
All of these specultions submitted here are just that ... speculations. I knew Rob from the mid 80s when we woked together for a short time and during that time I "knew" hm, I could not ever imagine that his life would have taken this turn .. but to say that "he deserved this.." because he may of may have not meen invilved with a married woman again is PURE SPECULATION. We don't know how long Tony's wife may have been miserable . ... possibly seeking a divorce .. we don't know if Tony was, indeed, with his daughter the entire evening of the murder .. we don't know if someone else either connected to Tony or for that matter conected to Rob or his family could have had some involvement BUT .. the police who took nearly a year to investigate and arrest mr Tong know way the hell more than we an SPECULATE and ASSUME
klaus freudenshein
1:33 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
The guy "Tony" was a complete loser, sitting around with his blank-ass stare and condescending attitude. He's the kind of guy who would, while sitting outside Beanochhio's on York Ave, stare anybody down with a dead-shark look on his ugly face. And when he did (barely audible) speak, it was very smug and superior. Absolutely couldn't stand the super creepy loser...
Mel
6:45 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
I also live in that Yorkville neighborhood in NYC where Tony lived. I too noticed something very creepy about him. He actually did stare right at people without speaking. He'd just sit and stare, was very strange. As if he had no social etiquette. Glad he's out.
Leslie
11:49 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012
I know Tony. I guess I can see how people would misinterpret his confidence as being smug, but he isn't that way at all (and I'm quick to judge). Once you get to know him, you see the real side of Tony. He is thoughtful, sensitive, and very intelligent. I have been quite upset since I heard he was arrested and until I see what kind of evidence they have against him, I am remembering the Tony who is my friend. He was always there for me, so I am standing beside him. My heart hurts for the victim and his family and friends. I just hope this is not a witch hunt, so that both parties receive justice. I pray that Tony gets a fair trial.
Les Chow
9:27 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012
Leslie, You sound like a truly admirable and decent minded man. I'm just relieved that you are safe, and Tony is now off the streets, and we shall allow Justice to do its 'thang' as people say, and hope for the best. Go Rangers!
Caroline
12:40 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012
I have taken the time to read all the comments listed here and would like to say that I believe that the person calling Tony a loser is using a fake name as there is a parent from Shuang Wen who uses this word repeatedly and has attacked other parents with the same line. I would also like to say that if someone is aware of Tony being with his daughter they should come forward as I also knew Tony to be completely devoted to his daughters, and I do know that cases can become political rather than factual as there are two cases one in Federal court where a group of parents supporting a disgraced Principal are suing the Chancellor for "racism" and a case where a parent was accused of wanting to "burn down a school" where the initial accusation came from a guidance counselor who they were helping to avoid be harassed by the same Principal. I also think that murder is wrong, but some people crack, and all the psycho-babble about anger is just that. It seems that some people believe that because a person is getting a divorce means that all feeling disappear, and with children involved well my feeling is that it becomes violatale, (excuse spelling) and I do believe with all respect that when one is going through a separation or divorce one should make sure that a certain period of time passes before dating. I don't believe in stoning but there is something called respect for someone you shared a life with, but it seems in the U.S. we just have no respect at all.
Anon Ymous
2:26 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012
If the article above is accurate, it states two ' facts' ;
Tung was estranged/in divorce process at the time of the murder on March 6, 2011 & also that Tung found out about the affair earlier, in 2010.
The article does not state that Tung & his wife were in the process of a divorce & estranged in 2010 when Tung first learned of the cheating.
Assuming the article has the correct information, the wife was cheating before her marital separation.
It doesn't justify murder & arson, but the emotions associated with it are surely different than killing his 'almost' ex-wife's new lover that came into her life after their marriage split.
Personally, I would be more angry with the cheating spouse than the lover. The spouse broke their vows & tore apart the family unit.