FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – Two people accused of murdering a Franklin woman before dumping and burning her body in a wooded area were in court Monday morning.
District Judge Matthew Kirtland ordered the charges against 28-year-old Richard A. Kennedy, of Vandergrift, and 32-year-old Amanda L. Cypher, of Franklin, held for court.
Kennedy and Cypher are accused of the crime which was apparently over a botched drug deal. Police believe Kennedy used a pair of brass knuckles and a heavy frying pan to beat to death 25-year-old Tausha Lee Baker, of Franklin, on Friday, October 27. Cypher is accused of being involved in the crime and helping to cover it up.
Kennedy is facing charges of Criminal Homicide; Conspiracy — Criminal Homicide; and Aggravated Assault, all first-degree felonies, and Abuse of a Corpse and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence, both second-degree misdemeanors.
District Attorney Shawn White had charges added to the indictment against Kennedy, including Aggravated Assault, a second-degree felony, and three first-degree misdemeanors that include Possession of an Instrument of Crime With Intent; Possession of a Weapon; and Make Repairs/Sell/Etc. Offensive Weapons.
Cypher is facing charges of Conspiracy — Criminal Homicide and Aggravated Assault, both first-degree felonies, and Abuse of a Corpse and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence, both second-degree misdemeanors. A charge of Aggravated Assault, a second-degree felony was also added.
Judge Kirtland Hears Testimonies During Preliminary Hearing
Judge Kirtland heard testimony from 11 different people. Two men who lived in the house where Baker was killed testified, as well as Baker’s father, four investigators, and the Venango County coroner.
Testimonies from Bill Umstead, who was renting the house (pictured below), and Mark Daniels, who lived there, revealed that Kennedy and Cypher were at the residence looking for Baker. They said she sold them $200.00 worth of methamphetamine instead of crack cocaine. They were trying to get their money back.