VFW Commander Charged with Murder

A woman who worked as a bartender at a VFW hall was found shot to death in her home Wednesday morning, and the post commander was charged with killing her.

By the time Cinnaminson police found the body of Karen Leitenberger, 42, their colleagues in neighboring Maple Shade already had arrested George Mills near his home there.

Mills, 64, was arrested shortly after 6 a.m. as he drove his pickup truck away from his home.

Someone calling from his house told police that he had killed his girlfriend in Cinnaminson and was about to return to the scene. Police did not identify the caller.

Maple Shade police said they found a loaded .44-caliber handgun on the floor of Mills' truck. He was charged initially with illegal firearm possession. The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office later added murder charges.

Cinnaminson authorities found Leitenberger's body inside her home about 6:30 a.m. She had multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim sometimes tended bar at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Maple Shade where Mills is post commander, authorities said.

An autopsy was scheduled on Wednesday.

Author: NBC 10/AP