Suspects Accused Of Murder, Dumping Body In River To Stand Trial
CONNELLSVILLE (KDKA) -- A Fayette County woman was killed for the thrill of it; that was the word from a Fayette County prosecutor at a hearing for the men accused of killing her.
Peggy Kriek, 52, was beaten to death and dumped in the Youghiogheny River in June.
Paul Bannasch and Craig Rugg, both 24, will now stand trial for her murder.
They are facing charges, including homicide and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
In a taped confession played in court, Rugg said that he and Bannasch kicked and stomped the woman. Rugg says he only stopped when his own foot began to hurt.
Prosecutors say the men were unaffected by the murder. They allegedly visited a bar, then grabbed dinner at McDonald's after dumping the victim's body in the water.
Kriek's body was later found near the river by some boy scouts.
Rugg's mother was in tears at the hearing. She doesn't believe her son is capable of murder.
Prosecutors opted to not show autopsy photos at Thursday's hearing, but call them "horrendous."
At this point, the death penalty remains on the table.
RELATED LINKS:
Officials ID Woman Found Dead In River, 2 In Custody (6/23/13)
Family Distraught After Woman Found Dead In River (6/24/13)
More Reports by Trina Orlando
