HOUSTON (AP) _ The widow of a Texas A&M University professor who jumped to his death from a campus building in January after reportedly being blackmailed says her husband was a good man who was “very human with flaws, just like all of us.”
Authorities allege Daniel Timothy Duplaisir of Metairie, La., used an underage girl to lure James Arnt Aune (AH-nee) into a sexually explicit online relationship and then contacted the professor, acting as an outraged father, to demand money.
Miriam Aune said Tuesday she’s not excusing her husband’s actions but that he was duped by Duplaisir, who she says orchestrated the scheme for money.
She says her husband had been depressed for several years before his suicide.
Duplaisir pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Houston.
Court records show text messages between the 37-year-old Duplaisir and the 59-year-old Aune indicate the threats to publicize the relationship contributed to the communication professor’s decision to commit suicide.
Authorities allege Duplaisir used the same scheme against others.
A judge in Houston on Tuesday ordered Duplaisir to remain in jail without bond.
His trial is scheduled for May 28.