Judge: Jury can convict NJ man in UK tourist death

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey judge says there is sufficient evidence for a jury to find a man who admitted killing one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors guilty of murder or manslaughter, should it choose to do so.

Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury today rejected a defense request to dismiss all charges against Robert Davies of North Wildwood.

Davies told the jury he fatally stabbed Lavern Paul Ritch of Penarth, Wales, in the South Jersey beach town of Margate in August 2007. Davies claims he acted in self-defense, fearing Ritch was part of a gang out to harm or kill him.

Ritch was once a contestant on the British version of the “American Gladiators” TV show and was ranked among England’s most eligible bachelors by two publications.

The prosecution rested its case today. The defense will start Monday.