Topeka man charged with murdering woman on cruise ship

WASHINGTON – A Topeka, Kan., man made his initial appearance Thursday on a federal indictment charging him with murdering a woman on board a cruise ship in January, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Justice.

Eric Newman, 53, was charged with murder in the second degree. The initial appearance was held before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ross A. Walters.

The indictment alleges that on or about Jan. 19, Newman was traveling on board the Carnival Elation, a foreign vessel registered in Panama, with both a scheduled departure from and arrival in Jacksonville, Fla. During the voyage, Newman is alleged to have killed Tamara Tucker, 50, of Lawson, Mo.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12.

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