Trial ordered for Pennsylvania man in stepdaughter’s alleged necrophilia killing
Posted January 31, 2015 3:28 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EASTON, Pa. – A defence attorney says he’s considering a mental health defence for a Pennsylvania man charged with homicide and abuse of a corpse in the death of his stepdaughter.
Fifty-three-year-old Gregory Graf waived a preliminary hearing Friday in the death of 33-year-old Jessica Padgett.
Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli says the defence waived the hearing after viewing a videotape that authorities allege Graf made of himself sexually abusing the victim’s body. Morganelli has said necrophilia was Graf’s motive.
Defence attorney John McMahon said he will seek a mental health evaluation, although he’s unaware of prior mental problems.
Authorities say Padgett was last seen Nov. 21. Her body was later found buried behind a shed on the property where Graf lives with her mother.