Defendant to testify in love triangle slaying
EASTON (AP) – A man charged in the stabbing death of a friend who was dating his ex-girlfriend is expected to take the stand Monday in his own defense in an eastern Pennsylvania courtroom.
Andrew Hess, 25, of Nazareth is charged in Northampton County in the July 2014 death of Richard Parker, 36, of Nazareth in a Moore Township garage.
Defense attorney Thomas Joachim has called the case self-defense. He said Hess had been placed in a headlock and felt like he was going to lose consciousness, and he also feared a loaded gun he knew Parker kept in the garage.
But a state trooper testified Friday that Hess indicated that the victim’s hold on him was more like a bear hug, and he had no neck or head injuries that would indicate a headlock.
Prosecutors allege that the killing was premeditated and are seeking a first-degree murder conviction.
Family members said the two men met seven years ago and soon became inseparable, but a woman who broke up with Hess in December 2013 after the two dating for 5½ months then started dating Parker.
Prosecutors said Hess, covered in blood, repeatedly denied at the scene that he was involved in the stabbing, then changed his story in later interrogation by state police.
Jurors on Friday were shown the murder weapon, a double-edged bowie knife with an 8-inch blade and the name “Alabama Slammer” that was recovered from a nearby pond.