Homicide trial date set for former Bridgewater councilman

BEAVER — A date has been set for the homicide trial of a former Bridgewater councilman accused in a 32-year-old murder in Monaca.

Gregory Scott Hopkins, 66, of 718 Mulberry St., Bridgewater, is scheduled to face trial on Sept. 4 before Beaver County Judge Richard Mancini. He is being held without bond in the Beaver County Jail.

If the date stands, Hopkins would face trial almost exactly 33 years after the body of Catherine Janet Walsh, 23, was found Sept. 1, 1979, inside her Indiana Avenue, Monaca, home. She was strangled.

Hopkins, who had a sexual relationship with Walsh in the months leading up to her death, was not charged at the time because a friend provided an alibi, and police had no evidence directly linking him with the crime.

But police were able to use advances in DNA technology to match samples found on Walsh's nightgown and the rope used to tie up her hands to Hopkins and charged him on Jan. 29.

Through his lawyer, James Ross, Hopkins has continued to deny that he was involved in Walsh's death. During a hearing to determine whether Hopkins should be released on bond, Ross said last week that Hopkins had ended the relationship nearly a month before her death.

The June 18 hearing was the third time Ross had moved to have his client released pending the start of the trial, saying he still only is facing a general criminal homicide charge, but county Judge Harry Knafelc denied the motion because Hopkins still could face a first-degree murder charge.

Under Pennsylvania statute, charges of first- and third-degree murder are offenses for which a person charged is held without bond.

© 2012 Ellwood City Ledger. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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