Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
A Falls Township man accused in the death of his girlfriend will head to trial.
Following a preliminary hearing before District Judge Jan Vislosky Wednesday morning, Evan Marquis Smith, 37, had charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, strangulation, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, simple assault, and reckless endangerment held for Common Pleas Court.
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Smith is accused of killing Jamie Beighley, 36. The local woman was found at the New Falls Hotel in the 200 block of Lincoln Highway late on the night of July 1 with numerous injuries, including those related to being strangled, head trauma, and a possible brain bleed. She later died in the hospital.
Authorities have said Smith fled after officers arrived and he was arrested a short time later in the area of Hunter Drive in the Pennwood Crossing mobile home park.
Beighley and Smith were in a “heated verbal argument” that led to the mother of several kids being choked to the “point of unconsciousness,” authorities said.
Credit: GoFundMe
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Falls Township police Officer Alexander Sansone testified during the preliminary hearing that he was one of the initial responders called to the motel that sits just 800 feet from the police station. He arrived to observe Beighley on the floor of a motel room without a pulse. She was bloodied and blood had pooled on the nearby bed.
The officer also told the court Smith became uncooperative after being in the room with Beighley as police arrived. He further stated Smith drove off, leading to a short chase that was called off.
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Beighley died due to injuries from manual strangulation, township Detective Dennis O’Connell testified while speaking of the autopsy.
The detective said Smith showed him how he used his hands to choke Beighley.
Smith remains in the Bucks County Correctional Facility without bail.
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