A Florida man accused of murdering his son-in-law in New Jersey has offered up a unique defense: He says he's "too fat" to kill.

Edward Ates is being tried in Bergen County for the fatal shooting of his son-in-law Paul Duncsak in August of 2006.

Prosecutors claim Ates drove from Florida to Duncsak's million-dollar home in Ramsey, ran up a flight of stairs, shot his son-in-law, and then ran back down the stairs and fled the home before authorities could arrive on scene.

At the time of his death, Duncsak was involved in a bitter custody dispute with Ates' daughter following their divorce.

Ates testified Wednesday he didn't commit the crime. Ates' attorney says that at five-foot-eight and 285 pounds, his client was "too fat" to have pulled off such a murder and escape.

Ates' doctor has testified that racing up the stairs would have caused Ates to become short of breath and shake, which would have made firing a gun at a target like Duncsak nearly impossible.

Ates' trial continues Thursday.