Man accused of killing wife nearly 40 years ago in Lancaster County will stand trial
A judge has ruled that a Lancaster County man will stand trial on charges that he murdered his wife nearly 40 years ago.
Jere Bagenstose, 67, appeared in court on Friday for a preliminary hearing.
After several hours of testimony, a judge decided there was enough evidence to move forward with the case.
Maryann Bagenstose was last seen in June 1984. Her body has never been found.
Among those taking the stand was the man who had a romantic relationship with Maryann. Prosecutors said that affair likely pushed Jere to kill his wife.
Former Pennsylvania State Police troopers who first worked on the case also testified, talking about the days following Maryann's disappearance and the fact that Jere never reported her missing.
A note is key to the investigation, according to prosecutors.
Jere Bagenstose said the note found in the Willow Street home he shared with his wife – which stated, "Had to run a quick errand, be right back" – was written by Maryann, and she just never returned.
Handwriting analysis shows it was Jere who wrote the note, according to the district attorney's office.
Bagenstose's attorney said in his closing arguments that he didn't believe there was evidence to prove he was involved in Maryann's disappearance.
"It is unfortunate. It's an injustice that Mr. Bagenstose is having to defend this case 40 years later. Almost 40 years later, and he's being held in jail on something that was investigated earlier, and they didn't have enough evidence. But now they do, so it's just unfortunate for Mr. Bagenstose, but we're going to fight this all the way. Absolutely," Curt Schwartz said.
Video below: Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams announces homicide charges.
Case history
Jere Bagenstose was arrested in December.
Investigators have suspected him for years, saying his story has been inconsistent.
Before investigators recovered the note allegedly written by Maryann, Bagenstose provided multiple varying statements on what the note said.
Investigators said he also provided multiple statements on why he was present at his home the day of Maryann's disappearance and what she was doing when he arrived.
Records obtained from his employer indicated he had an unexcused absence on the day Maryann went missing, prosecutors said.
He also allegedly provided multiple explanations for why he was digging a hole in his garage in the days after Maryann was last seen.
Prosecutors said Bagenstose and his wife were separated at the time of her disappearance and fighting for custody of their son.
Maryann was described as a devoted mother, and those who knew her said it was unlikely she would have left the boy.
Video below: Previous WGAL report about the investigation.
