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Pocono News Section
Accused Murderers Will Head to Trial
Accused Murderers Will Head to Trial - Friday, April 24, 2009 at 2:28PM EST
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - Two teens accused of murdering an East Stroudsburg man will face a trial. A judge ruled there is enough evidence to send Ian Seagraves and Shawn Freemore before a jury. Police say the pair murdered 21 year old Michael Goucher in Price Township. It happened in February.
Dozens of Michael Goucher's family and friends showed up for the preliminary hearing. They knew some of the evidence would be tough to hear but they never realized just how difficult the morning would become. "Oh my God, what a nightmare," remarked Michael's mother MaryAnne.
She was shocked as she watched police read song lyrics that officers believe Seagraves and Freemore wrote describing Michael's murder.
Shawn Freemore originally old police he killed Goucher alone. He claimed he did it because Goucher made a sexual advance at him. Officers say Freemore later changed his story and admitted he and Seagraves set Goucher up. Troopers report Freemore met Goucher online and invited him to meet for a sexual encounter.
One song lyric said, "His hopes starts to raise and I say I g ot a surprise waiting for him under the bridge." Police believe that surprise was Ian Seagraves, who attacked Goucher then chased him through the woods. The song continues and explains why medical examiners found more than 40 wounds on Goucher's body. The lyric reads, "I sat here and stabbed, poked and jabbed just to make sure he was dead."
Defense Attorneys say they may be able to fight the lyrical evidence. Seagrave's lawyer Joe D'Andrea said, "I'm not sure if there was a proper wararnt on that -we have to investigate that."
That's not the only evidence he'll have to deal with. Ian Seagrave's ex fiance took the stand. She told the court Ian admitted to her that he and Shawn killed Michael Goucher.
Freemore's lawyer Wes Niemoczynski said, ""There are various phenomenon surrounding confessions so those have aspects have to be looked at to see what was said to whom under what circumstances."
MaryAnne believes Freemore and Seagraves killed her son and she wants them punished. She said, "Animals should be put to sleep - vicious animals should be put to sleep - they don't belong in our society."
Seagrave's attorney will be making a motion to move his case to Juvenile Court. Seagraves was 17 at the time of the murder. Freemore was 19.
Michael Goucher was 21 years old. He was a well loved young man in his community. He volunteered much of his time with the East Stroudsburg Crime Watch. He sang in church choirs and played the organ during services. He also toured with the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania. In high school he was the marching band drum major. When he graduated, Goucher joined the army. He was stationed in Alaska for two years. Most recently he worked as a custodian at East Stroudsburg High School South. Goucher dreamed of becoming a police officer. | | |
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