Man Accused Of Killing Father, Stepmother To Stand Trial
BUTLER (KDKA) -- A man from New Jersey accused of killing his father and stepmother in Butler County will stand trial.
Although the defense argued that no positive evidence of Kenneth Abbott's death exists, given the "possible" conclusion of dental records, a judge ruled there is sufficient evidence to hold Colin Abbott for trial in the deaths of his father and stepmother.
The victim's brother, Norman Abbott, testified defendant Colin Abbott told him that Colin's father and stepmother were in an accident in New Jersey in which their car went back and forth between lanes, hit a bridge abutment and burst into flames.
Both victims were decapitated and burned beyond recognition, according to Colin's story to his uncle. A state trooper testified family members were concerned and asked for confirmation of Colin's story. New Jersey authorities had no record of such an accident.
The couple's remains were found on their estate in Brady Township in July. A search of property revealed a long human bone near the roadway, a human skull near the pond and a pelvis in the pond.
A search of the defendant's home in New Jersey turned up a wallet with Celeste Abbott's driver's license and credit card. A handgun with two live rounds in the magazine was also discovered in Colin's residence.
Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat, a forensic anthropologist at Mercyhurst College, testified both male and female skeletal remains he examined were shot in the back of the head and burned.
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