BEDFORD — A Huntingdon County man pleaded innocent to all charges Thursday in the shotgun murder of his estranged wife outside an Everett-area McDonald’s.
John Lewis Gerholt, 38, faces the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in the Nov. 9 death of Karen Marie Gerholt, 24, of Hopewell.
“It was an accident; my lawyer’s going to prove it,’’ Gerholt blurted out to the media as he entered the Bedford County Courthouse in handcuffs and shackles. “You just want to sell newspapers and tell lies.’’
Gerholt’s court-appointed attorney – Thomas Dickey of Altoona – agreed on the defense strategy.
“We can definitely show that the shooting was accidental,’’ he said after his client’s brief court arraignment.
Dickey said he would not get into specifics at this time.
Citing aggravating circumstances in the case, District Attorney Bill Higgins is seeking capital punishment.
He said Gerholt was under a protection-from-abuse order that aimed to keep him away from his wife. And Higgins has said that prior PFA violations made it illegal for Gerholt to carry a firearm.
Dickey said he plans in the next few weeks to seek court approval to hire ballistics experts and investigators.
Karen Gerholt was shot as she took a break from her job and stood by her car outside the restaurant.
Authorities said John Gerholt walked up to her and fired two shots from a 12-gauge shotgun.
He faces numerous counts including homicide, illegal gun possession, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
Judge Daniel Howsare said the trial would be scheduled for the court term beginning April 21.
Local News
Related Photos
-
todd berkey/the tribune-democrat John Lewis Gerholt is escorted into the Bedford County Courthouse for his hearing Thursday. Todd Berkey
Discussion
‘It was an accident’: Suspect denies murdering wife
- Local News
-
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
-
Community Event is ‘fun for the kids’
The annual Johnstown Community Event held Saturday was a big hit in many ways.
-
Fielding interest: With new rec facility, leaders hope to sell old site
Borough Council leaders here find they are about to get into the real estate business, from the sellers’ end that is.
-
Richland weighs $2.1M offer for land
Richland School District officials will take time, likely a month, to weigh an Ohio developer’s Rachel Hill school land offer.
-
Officials cool on tax plan
Two state lawmakers from the area agree that a proposal to eliminate school property taxes with revenues from increases in the state personal income and state sales taxes has little chance of success anytime soon.
-
Portage store serves up a helping of history
Gone are the days when Schoenfeld’s Department Store sold ladies apparel, men’s suits and children’s shoes.
-
BILL EGGERT | Disco dancing days
-
BILL FINDLEY | Johnstown area is a great place for young adults to live and work
Looking for a great place to live and work? If you are like most people, your list would likely include a multitude of factors to consider in the selection process – such things as job opportunities, less stress, reasonable living costs, and plenty of fun things to do.
- Cambria County Court Report 05/27/2012
- Local business briefs 5/27/2012
- More Local News Headlines
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
