Wife Of Scientist Charged In Connection With Slaying

A Russian emigre was charged Thursday with taking part in the ax-murder of her husband, a renowned scientist whose body was cut into pieces and dumped in a New Jersey river.

Documents filed in federal court allege that Rita Gluzman, 47, planned the slaying of her estranged husband, Yakov Gluzman, to gain control of a company they owned.

The complaint is based in part on an FBI interview with her cousin, Vladimir Zelenin, who alleged that he was enlisted by Rita Gluzman to help carry out the April 6 killing.

The couple were in divorce proceedings, and Rita Gluzman allegedly feared she would lose her stake in the East Rutherford-based ECI Technology Inc., a business she ran that makes equipment for companies that make electronic circuit boards.

Rita Gluzman, who has denied any involvement in the murder, is scheduled to be arraigned today on a charge of interstate travel in connection with domestic violence. A federal statute makes it a crime to travel across state lines with intent to injure, harass or intimidate a spouse or partner. If convicted, she could face life in prison.