PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Prosecutors say they will not seek the death penalty against a woman who is standing trial on murder charges. She is accused of killing her parents and dismembering their bodies with a chainsaw.
The announcement came during an arraignment hearing for Verity Beck, 44, of Abington, who pleaded not guilty to two counts each of first- and third-degree murder, corpse abuse, and possessing instruments of crime — a firearm and a chainsaw. Her trial was scheduled for February, and she will remain jailed without bail.
Beck was arrested in January after her brother discovered their parents' bodies in various stages of dismemberment inside the home they shared with her.
The man told police that he spoke to his sister and that, when he asked whether something bad had happened to their parents, she responded, “Yes.” According to the criminal complaint, Beck told her brother that things at home had "been bad."
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Investigators say she shot her parents, 73-year-old Reid and 72-year-old Mariam — covering their faces with a pillow — then used a chainsaw to dismember them.
Officers who arrived on scene say they discovered a chainsaw near one of the bodies and blood all over the place.
Detectives say they also found trash cans filled with severed body parts and three guns inside the suspect's bedroom.
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A motive for the slayings has not been disclosed. James P. Lyons, Beck’s public defender, said only that “we do intend to vigorously defend this case.”
Samantha Cauffman, an assistant prosecutor in Montgomery County, told the judge her office would not seek the death penalty because “the required legal factors are not present in this case.”
Beck underwent several mental health evaluations and was found competent to stand trial. She could face a potential life sentence if convicted.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.