 Suspect may face death penaltyby the Associated Press A 45-year-old Newaygo County man, who could face the death penalty if convicted of murdering a teenage mother, told a federal judge that he is innocent. At an initial hearing Tuesday, Marvin Gabrion Jr. said a federal indictment alleging he drowned 19-year-old Rachel Timmerman two years ago is wrong. Despite U.S. Magistrate Joseph Scoville's repeated admonitions that his comments could be used as evidence against him, Gabrion said during one of several outbursts in court, "God knows that I didn't kill anyone. Therefore it must be God's will for me to stat emphatically that I'm innocent." Gabrion will be arraigned Friday. The hearing came hours after prosecutors unsealed a nearly 4-week-old indictment alleging that Gabrion killed Timmerman with "deliberation, premeditation, and malice" sometime between June 3, 1997, when she disappeared, and July 5, 1997, when her body was found. The indictment did not mention the victim's 11-month-old daughter, Shannon VerHage, who disappeared at the same time and is still missing. Prosecutors believe the girl is dead, but the family has not given up hope that she will be found alive. PHOTO NEXT HOME If you have any information, Contact: Michigan State Police at: (231)652-1662 The FBI at: (616)456-5489 The Silent Observer at: (616)774-2345 Thank you for caring! |