A Brackenridge man will serve 30 to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to killing his neighbor.
Justin Bartlett, 26, pleaded to burglary and third-degree murder for stabbing to death Linda McGinnis, 63, whose body was found in the bedroom of her home on Dec. 31.
Assistant District Attorney Chelsie Pratt told Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski that Bartlett confessed to the crime, telling investigators he originally just went to Ms. McGinnis’ house to take her car.
Bartlett entered her home, he told police, on Dec. 29, and went into her bedroom to find her car keys. She was sleeping, he said, and her dog began growling at him. Bartlett, who said he was wearing gloves, told investigators he went to the kitchen, got a steak knife, and returned to the bedroom and killed Ms. McGinnis.
He told police, Ms. Pratt said, that he threw his jeans and boots in the trash because it was to be picked up the next morning, loaded his belongings in her Chevrolet Trax and drove to West Virginia.
After Ms. McGinnis’ parents reported her missing, officers were able to use the SUV's OnStar, GPS tracking system, to locate the vehicle at a grocery store in Mannington, W.Va., on Dec. 31.
Ms. Pratt said police waited for the occupants of the vehicle, and when Bartlett returned, the officer asked him for his ID. As the officer ran his information, Bartlett fled on foot.
He was arrested by Fairmont, W.Va., police two days later.
In addition to the prison term, Bartlett must also serve seven years probation.
First Published: October 30, 2017, 4:11 p.m.
