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.
he and Kara, both of whom were home-schooled
When will we ever read an article that says, "the killer, who was public-schooled..."
You got Audio Free Republic? Cool.
He's hoping that there's at least one idiot sitting on his jury.
I'd take that bet.
I sincerely hope she DOES blame herself. And learns a lot. She was defiant, she was angry and head-strong, and acting on that kind of self-righteousness often leads to very dire consequences. She learned it young and the hard way. She is NOT an innocent victim of this, imho.
She doesn't have to "blame herself"; there are many people who do.
Probably never since the home school bashers all drink from the dumbed-down public education fountain. They'll continue to be deaf, dumb and blind while considering themselves to be elites who know it all.
There's more to this story than meets the eye. This young lady could be as guilty as her BF.
BTW, Welcome to FR! (I read through your posts and notice no one else bothered.)
I believe Kara Borden will be charged.
**
I hope you are right. She is just as guilty as he is.
Since he already confessed, it makes no sense to plead not guilty. IMO
Newspaper articles haven't commented on where the kids are and if they're together.
His lawyers will be hoping to put several on the jury.
"He's hoping that there's at least one idiot sitting on his jury. I'd take that bet.
His lawyers will be hoping to put several on the jury.
I read one article, I believe it was in the Lancaster news, that said insanity is one plan. Seems there is some sort of disorder that runs in his family. I read the article but can't recall all the details. He has a sister with downs syndrone, seems like that was a link to the insanity plea.
I think he is just cold hearted, selfish, spoiled, arrogant and just plain mean. That is blunt, but my feelings exactly.
Also, he must have thought he was smarter that the legal system. He had bragged to friends that he thought he could kill someone and get away with it. Well, we see how far he got.
I'll be interested to see what she says in court. Maybe by then, she'll have some idea of what she did.
Agreed. Unless the defense is supremely confident they can have the confession suppressed, pleading "not guilty" is not a good move.
This is a comment from Lancasteronline
"Ludwig's plea of not guilty is a "procedural formality," meaning that this is a common practice. It also says that the plea doesn't mean that's what he's going to plead when he goes before a judge, nor does it even mean there's going to be a trial."
Seems like a lot of things in PA are different. And, he has already admitted guilt. Seems odd to me.
good info
You are totally right. This kid made a decision to kill, because he wanted what he couldn't have, and then he was arrogant enough to think he could get away with it. Murder. Bad decision -- choose evil, reap huge consequences. Hopefully he will.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.