DANVILLE - The charges against a Danville man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend were ordered bound to Montour County Court following a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
An open count of criminal homicide against Westley T. Wise, 32, of 508 E. Front St., was ordered bound to court by Magisterial District Judge Marvin K. Shrawder, of Danville. The case will go to Montour County Court for arraignment at a later date, according to the office of the district attorney.
Wise was charged by Sgt. William Wilt III of the Danville Borough Police with the death of Jessica Frederick, 25, on Jan. 24.
Frederick, a native of the Shamokin Area, used to live with her grandparents Veda and Albert Kopitsky, of Shamokin, before moving to Danville. Despite her moving out, the family said that Frederick and Wise would visit often, and that Frederick would speak with them every day.
According to court documents, Wise said the incident, which happened between 7 and 8 p.m., was prompted by an argument he had with Frederick about their relationship. He admitted to using a serrated steak knife with a black handle to slash her throat and stab her repeatedly in the throat and chest "anywhere from four to six times." Wise told police he had been drinking beer prior to the incident and took various medications after the stabbing.
After the incident, Wise changed his clothing upstairs and returned to the scene, falling several times in his girlfriend's blood. At 10 a.m. Jan. 25, Wise's father, Barry Wise, arrived at the half-double home to pick up his son and discovered Frederick's body in the kitchen. He called 911 to request an ambulance, said police.
At the police station, Lynn, who had seen empty medicine bottles at the residence, asked Wise if he had taken any medication. Wise said he had.
According to court documents, Wise told Lynn, "I hurt Jessica. I stabbed her."
Wise was then transported to the emergency department at Geisinger Medical Center, where he waived his Miranda rights after Patrolman Chris Plafcan read them to him. Plafcan also observed dried blood on Wise while questioning him.
Court documents confirm Wise admitted to the murder to Plafcan and Patrolman JD Stanley.
Asked why he didn't contact anyone after allegedly stabbing Frederick, Wise said he did not want to get into trouble and he knew he killed her, police said.
According to court documents, when asked if he understood his action caused Frederick's death, Wise answered, "Yes."
Later, Wise confirmed his original statements when questioned a second time, police said.
Wise remains in Montour County Prison, where he is being held without bail.