Trevor Christopher Weigel, left inset, fatally stabbed Jaden Battista, right inset, near this car, prosecutors said. (Inset images: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office; screenshot of vehicle: WPVI)
The man who was charged with fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend in front of police and slicing his own neck is going to trial.
Trevor Christopher Weigel, 23, already faced charges of criminal homicide, burglary, possession of an instrument of crime, disorderly conduct, and harassment, but prosecutors recently added criminal attempted kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, and evading arrest or detention on foot.
Magisterial District Judge Corryn L. Kronnagel heard five witnesses, including three law enforcement officers, in a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office in Pennsylvania. He decided that Weigel must go to trial for allegedly killing Jaden Battista, 19. Arraignment is set for May 17.
Authorities said that the victim was on FaceTime with a friend on Feb. 17, saying ex-boyfriend Weigel was at her apartment banging on the door, trying to get inside.
“While speaking with Battista, the friend heard her say that Weigel was able to get into the house through a first-floor window,” prosecutors wrote. “The friend heard a commotion, followed by a thump, and then Battista’s voice became muffled as if someone was holding their hand over her mouth to prevent her from speaking.”
The phone call cut out, and the friend tried calling back several times. No one answered.
Cops arrived at the scene in the 2500 block of Waterford Road.
“When the first police officer arrived, he observed a male, later identified as Weigel, standing next to a red Ford Mustang with the passenger door open,” police wrote. “The officer observed the male chase after a young woman, tackle her to the ground and repeatedly stab her in the upper portion of her body.”
Leaving Battista bleeding heavily from the chest, Weigel fled on foot toward Interstate 295, authorities said.
“While fleeing, the male began to stab himself on the right side of his neck,” they wrote.
Battista’s injuries were fatal.
“The officer began lifesaving measures on the injured female, and she was transported to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries,” prosecutors wrote. “An autopsy was performed on Saturday, Feb. 17, by Dr. Ian Hood, who concluded Battista died of multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest.”
As for Weigel, he received surgery and survived. Authorities claimed to find a bloody knife at the crime scene.
Chief Kenneth D. Coluzzi of the Lower Makefield Township Police Department called the defendant a “coward.” He said that Weigel stabbed Battista approximately 15 times, with two “vital” injuries.
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn told reporters in February that Battista and the defendant had a “very short relationship” of two months and had broken up “roughly two months” before the incident.
“She was such a light in so many people’s lives,” Battisa’s childhood friend Lucy Hossler told Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI in February.
More Law&Crime coverage: Man convicted of beating his girlfriend to death because she received text from her ex-boyfriend
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