SOMERSET — Evidence linking a former Somerset County man to his wife’s murder nearly three decades ago is expected at a preliminary hearing for John David Dawson on Thursday.
Dawson, 59, was arrested in April in Jacksonville, Fla., and charged in the murder of 30-year-old Kathleen Marie Dawson, whose charred body was found in her burned-out car early Nov. 10, 1981, on Cable Hill Road in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County.
The woman was bludgeoned to death, authorities said. She was returning to her Boswell R.D. 2 home after completing the second shift at Windber Hospital, where she worked as a nurse’s aide, when she either stopped her car or was forced off the road.
Police believe she was beaten on a hillside near her car, and her body was then thrown back into the car.
County Coroner Wilbur Miller said that death was caused by two blunt blows to the head.
Kathleen Dawson’s body was locked inside the car, and it was set on fire in what the police said was an attempt to cover evidence of the crime.
Although authorities had long considered John Dawson a suspect in the murder, his arrest did not come until 27 years later, when his nephew came forward with new information.
The preliminary hearing will be held before District Judge Susan Mankamyer at the Somerset County Courthouse beginning at 9:30 a.m.
District Attorney Jerry Spangler is expected to call a number of witnesses to testify, including Trooper William Goins Jr., the arresting officer. Spangler declined to comment Tuesday.
Dawson is being represented by Somerset attorney Joseph Policicchio.
Dawson, who waived extradition from Florida, was returned to Pennsylvania on May 3 and since then has been held in the county jail without bond.
About three months after his wife’s death, Dawson moved to Florida with a former local woman with whom he was having an affair.
Local News
Hearing to reveal evidence in 1981 murder case
- 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
