Prosecutors tried to draw similarities between the two cases to back up a theory that when Harmon felt threatened or abandoned, she killed. Cates called that a stretch.
Prosecutors knew Harmon was furious with Pitts over money, for wanting to move out and for sharing news of Harmon s pregnancy, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.
Pitts went missing on Sept. 16, 1988, the day that Harmon drove around Prescott looking for her and saying she d kill her if she found her, the documents say. Harmon also said she knew how to conceal a killing: by burning a body or dumping it down a mineshaft a statement a judge said could be included at a trial that was supposed to start last week.
Pamela Pitts body was found burned beyond recognition in a pile of trash in 1988.
Tips flooded in blaming a Satanic cult, a drug dealer, an ex-lover, an overdose at an Arizona party spot.
It would take more than 30 years, some prison calls and an eyebrow-raising plea deal before a convicted murderer would confess.
But in a shocking twist, a court recently agreed the 19-year-oldâs killer wouldn t spend any more time behind bars.
Pamela Pitts body was found burned beyond recognition in a pile of garbage in 1988.(Associated Press)
Over the years, investigators couldn t pin down the evidence they needed to arrest anyone in the slaying that stoked fear about a killer on the loose around Prescott, a tourist town about 160 kilometres north of Phoenix.
First Posted: May 10, 2021 12:24 AM EDT
Photo : Hiroshi Kimura on Unsplash
Shelly Harmon had confessed to the Prescott murder that took place in 1988. She was long suspected of killing her roommate Pamela Pitts. However, she was not charged for Pitts s death until 30 years later, according to an ABC 15 News report.
Harmon has already been sentenced to 20 years prison time for the death of her ex-boyfriend when she pleaded guilty in March for the fatal incident with Pitts.
Pitts s case went cold after investigators could not establish the evidence. They needed to capture the suspect responsible for the victim s death. In addition, tips on the case did not add up.
Long suspected of murder, woman confesses but avoids prison
By Felicia Fonseca and Brent Corrado
Published
Shelly Norgard and Pamela Pitts (file)
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Pamela Pitts’ body was found burned beyond recognition in a pile of trash in 1988. Tips flooded in blaming a Satanic cult, a drug dealer, an ex-lover, an overdose at an Arizona party spot.
It would take more than 30 years, some prison calls and an eyebrow-raising plea deal before a convicted murderer would confess. But in a shocking twist, a court recently agreed the 19-year-old’s killer wouldn’t spend any more time behind bars.
Over the years, investigators couldn’t pin down the evidence they needed to arrest anyone in the slaying that stoked fear about a killer on the loose around
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Pamela Pitts body was found burned beyond recognition in a pile of trash in 1988. Tips flooded in blaming a Satanic cult, a drug dealer, an ex-lover, an overdose at an Arizona party spot.
It would take more than 30 years, some prison calls and an eyebrow-raising plea deal before a convicted murderer would confess. But in a shocking twist, a court recently agreed the 19-year-old s killer wouldn t spend any more time behind bars.
Over the years, investigators couldn t pin down the evidence they needed to arrest anyone in the slaying that stoked fear about a killer on the loose around Prescott.