BEAVER (KDKA) – The brother of a 1979 homicide victim told a Beaver County judge that the man charged should not be released because he is a “danger to the community.”

At a bond hearing requested by the defense, Francesco Caltieri, brother of victim Catherine Walsh, said the family is fearful of the prospect that Gregory Scott Hopkins could be released on bond. After the hearing, Caltieri told KDKA-TV’s Harold Hayes, “Our concern is we want justice, period.”

Hopkins was a Bridgewater councilman when he was arrested in January for the 1979 strangulation death of Walsh in Monaca, Beaver County.

The defense claims Hopkins should be released pending trial because the prosecution has appealed an evidence ruling that could delay the trial for possibly a year depending on when an appeals court rules.

The prosecution says because this is a homicide case, Hopkins is not eligible for bail regardless of the appeal.

The defense put Hopkins himself on the stand, who testified he owns property worth seven-to eight-hundred thousand dollars, checking accounts worth fifty-to sixty-thousand dollars and vehicles worth another forty-thousand dollars.

Hopkins testified he sold his equipment and interest in a construction business not long after he was arrested.

Hopkins said he would agree to electronic monitoring and would surrender his passport.

Beaver County Judge Harry Knaflec said he would “take the matter under advisement”, giving no indication when he would rule.

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