Posted on 01/26/2006 6:41:13 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
An 18-year-old Lititz man pleaded NOT GUILTY to two counts of criminal homicide in the shooting deaths of his girlfriend's parents - a case that sparked a national manhunt when he fled the state with the 14-year-old girl.
David Ludwig also waived his right to an arraignment, which had been scheduled for yesterday, according to papers filed in Lancaster County Court late Tuesday afternoon.
Ludwig, who is being held without bail, is accused of gunning down Michael and Cathryn Borden inside their Lititz home Nov. 13 after Michael Borden ordered him to stop seeing their daughter, Kara Beth. Ludwig could get the death penalty if convicted.
The girl, who was not charged, fled the state with Ludwig after the shooting. She was with him when he was captured in Indiana the following day after he crashed his car into a tree while being chased by police.
Ludwig admitted to the killings, authorities have said. He allegedly told detectives that he and Kara, both of whom were home-schooled, wanted to "get as far away as possible" and get married, but that she was not involved in planning and carrying out the killings. Ludwig also pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment.
Merrill Spahn, a lawyer who is part of a court-appointed defense team, said Ludwig will also plead not guilty to statutory sexual assault and to carrying a handgun without a permit, additional charges that were filed in December.
Ludwig's trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 5.
Some, like I, are not willing to give her a free pass which says she holds no responsibility at all for what occurred. I hope I am not being vindictive...I do not take pleasure in any part of this tragedy.
Tough as it is, though, we have to take responsibility for what we do. Wouldn't we all like to escape the pain of absolutely knowing we erred...we did it?
If Kara has a working conscience, she will pay for any part she had in this crime. No one has to condemn her. She will prosecute herself.
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