WINDBER — The owner of a comic-book store has been charged with the execution-style murder of his wife 17 years ago – an arrest that is reverberating through the borough.
Michael Ralph George, 46, owner of Comics World in Windber, is charged by police in Clinton Township, Mich., with killing his then-wife, Barbara Marie George, in July 1990.
The 32-year-old’s body was found by customers in the back of the couple’s Michigan store – also Comics World – and $30,000 worth of comic books were taken, according to The Macomb Daily.
She died of a single shot to the head from a .38-caliber gun.
Barbara George was killed after closing the store to prepare a surprise birthday party for husband, then 30, the report said.
The couple had two small children.
Investigators from Michigan were in Somerset County last week continuing their investigation, Somerset County District Attorney Jerry Spangler said.
Spangler could not say what led investigators to George, 17 years later.
“Obviously, there must have been some recent developments,” he said.
George was picked up Saturday by state police in the 1000 block of Graham Avenue, where his store is.
He surrendered without incident, state police Cpl. Jeffrey Doman said.
George was arraigned by on-call District Judge Joseph Cannoni of Windber on a fugitive warrant and sent to the Somerset County Jail without bond.
It could not immediately be determined whether he has an attorney.
George, who since has remarried, is expected to have an extradition hearing this week before a Somerset County judge. After that, Spangler said, George will be taken to Michigan to stand trial for homicide and possession of a firearm to commit a felony.
Several Windber business owners declined to talk about George on Monday. Residents, though, said he is a friendly neighbor who refereed youth basketball and allowed children to play video games in the store.
“I was shocked when I heard about it,” one man said. “You never would have suspected it.”
At the time of the murder, police theorized the shooter was familiar with classic comic books and the trading card industry because of the value of the items taken.
Barbara George was killed at point-blank range in what authorities called an “execution-style” method, The Macomb Daily said. She was shot in the top of the head – which indicated she was sitting or kneeling at the time of the shooting, the report said.
Clinton Township police are remaining tight-lipped about the case and did not return a telephone call for comment.
Comics World in Windber was closed Monday.
Local News
Comic-store owner accused of murder
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
