EVERETT — Security video taken inside and outside the Bedford Wal-Mart show John Lewis Gerholt Sr. purchasing a hacksaw minutes before authorities say he used a sawed-off shotgun to murder his wife.
A Bedford County district judge rejected the argument by Gerholt that the incident was an accident after the gun went off on its own.
District Justice Brian Baker ordered Gerholt to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder.
Gerholt, 38, has been in Bedford County Jail since the Nov. 9 shooting of Karen Gerholt in the parking lot of the McDonald’s where she was employed.
The 24-year-old Hopewell woman left behind three children, authorities said.
Gerholt pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include all degrees of murder and manslaughter, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, possession of an offensive weapon and two other gun-related charges.
At the urging of court-appointed defense attorney Thomas Dickey, Baker dismissed a second-degree murder charge because a felony crime was not committed as part of the slaying.
Trooper Terry Summers said the video from the Wal-Mart – which is located to the rear of the McDonald’s in Snake Spring Township – shows Gerholt returning to his truck after buying the saw. It shows Gerholt spending some time at the vehicle, then shows him driving closer to the McDonald’s, where he is seen running into the parking lot.
“I saw a guy running up through the parking lot as fast as he could,” McDonald’s customer Willard Clark of Everett testified.
He appeared to have a gun as he ran toward a woman at the front of the lot.
“I heard a shot, then I heard another shot,” Clark said.
Trooper John P. Brown, the first to arrive on the scene, testified that he saw Gerholt kneeling over the woman who was bleeding profusely from her chest, stomach and mouth.
“He was lying over her,” Brown said. “He said, ‘I shot her, I shot her, I shot her by accident.’ ”
Local News
Video shows murder suspect buying hacksaw
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
