Death penalty sought in elderly woman's killing
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The Washington County District Attorney's office today announced it will seek the death penalty against a 23-year-old man accused of stabbing an elderly woman to death in her home last month.
At a formal arraignment in county Common Pleas Court this morning for Frank Jones Jr., of Claysville, prosecutors notified the court that they would seek the death penalty because they believed Mr. Jones killed 80-year-old Opal Bedillion during the commission of a robbery.
Police in Washington apprehended Mr. Jones during a traffic stop Jan. 7 and said they found several stolen items, including jewelry and a prescription pill bottle for Ms. Bedillion.
Officers then asked Ms. Bedillion's relatives to check on her. When her nephew walked into her home, he found Ms. Bedillion's body. Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco said Ms. Bedillion died of knife wounds.
Prosecutors believe Mr. Jones targeted Ms. Bedillion.
"I don't think they had any sort of relationship, but he knew she lived there," said Steven Fischer, chief of staff for District Attorney Gene Vittone.
Mr. Jones was ordered to stand trial after a preliminary hearing Jan. 11 on charges of homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and other offenses.
He remains jailed without bond in the Washington County Correctional Facility.
First Published February 2, 2012 2:35 pm
