DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A man has been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in the death of his girlfriend, whose body was found in a sport utility vehicle parked in the driveway of the suburban Philadelphia home they shared.
Forty-two-year-old Jason Lutey of New Britain pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, evidence-tampering and possession of an instrument of crime.
Authorities said the body of 46-year-old Colleen Patterson was found wrapped in a bloodstained cloth in the back of an SUV in September. Bucks County prosecutors planned to seek execution had Lutey been convicted of first-degree murder.
Lutey said what he called the “heinous act … will haunt me for the rest of my days.” Defense attorney Brad Bastedo said his client had long battled post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
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