Craigslist Killer Lawyers Want Suspect’s Confession Thrown

The Craigslist Killer’s lawyers are hoping for the suspect’s confession to be tossed by the case’s presiding judge.

Miranda Barbour, 19, went to the police station on December 3 to confess that she, together with her husband, Elytte Barbour, 22, stabbed Troy LaFerrara to death. The couple was dubbed the “Craigslist Killers,” as they made use of the classified ads website in order to lure 42-year-old LaFerrara. The Craigslist Killers posted an advertisement on the website, offering sexual companionship in exchange for money.

When Miranda went to the police, she did not implicate her husband in the confession. Elytte, however, eventually confessed that he helped his wife kill LaFerrara on November 11 by hiding behind their Honda CRV and strangling LaFerrara from behind while Miranda stabbed him to death. The Craigslist Killers then dumped his lifeless body in an alley.

On Tuesday, the defense attorneys questioned whether Miranda was fairly represented by legal counsel when she confessed to the crime. They are hoping to toss out the suspect’s confession as evidence in the case.

Edward Greco, from the defense, said that Miranda gave her statement to the police and turned herself in.

“This didn’t trigger her right to counsel?” he asked in court.

Michael Piecuch, Snyder County District Attorney who testified as a witness said that Miranda did not qualify to have a lawyer, as she was not charged at the time of her confession and questioning. Reports say that there was no lawyer present at the time of her confession. Based on reports, Miranda was interviewed by the authorities several times, and she asked for a lawyer in more than one occasion.

Judge Charles H. Saylor of the Northumberland County Courthouse will now have to make a decision whether or not to toss the confession. The decision will be announced after June 3, when a suppression hearing is scheduled to take place.

Aside from confessing to being the Craigslist Killer, Miranda also made claims of being a serial killer. She told a local newspaper that she has murdered at least 22 other people, and that the body parts of her victims can be seen in various locations, such as North Carolina, Florida, and Alaska.

Despite Miranda’s claim, the authorities are having a hard time believing her story, as there are no corroborating evidences to support her statement. The Craigslist Killers have both pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

[Image via People]