In-law could face death in Coquille woman's murder
Jayme Austin By Tim Novotny KCBY NewsCOQUILLE, Ore. -- The man accused of killing his sister-in-law last week in Fairview learns that he could face the death penalty if convicted. A Coos County civilian grand jury has indicted him on six charges related to the death of Jayme Sue Austin. MultimediaPatrick Lee Horath, 45, was arraigned on the charges before Judge Michael Gillespie Monday afternoon. A packed courtroom also was on hand as they learned the grand jury has indicted Horath on two counts of aggravated murder, three counts of murder and one count of sexual abuse in the first degree. The multiple counts of murder represent different theories of how the crime happened. Autopsy results show that Austin, 31, was killed by manual strangulation and may have been sexually assaulted. If convicted of murder, Horath would face only one penalty, which ranges from the possibility of parole to a death sentence. "I don't make that decision [on what penalty to press for] until a background has been done and presented to me," said Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier. "Then I'll make up my mind on that." Through Crime Victim's Assistance, the family declined to comment to Fisher station KCBY News. However, Frasier says he has spoken with family members who are going through a very difficult grieving process - made more-so by the fact that the defendant is married to the victim's sister. "The mom told me the other day that this is a tragedy because Jayme's two daughters now don't have a mother," Frasier said. "And now Mr. Horath's two kids that he has, they're under the age of 13 I believe, now they don't have a dad. The family has been hit with a double whammy so to speak." Bail has been set for Horath at $3 million and a Eugene public defender, Dan Koenig, has been assigned to represent him. Even as the legal case moves forward, the investigation is continuing. The Sheriff's Office is asking Coquille residents to call if saw either Horath's pick-up truck and Austin's car between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the afternoon on Monday, Nov. 9. "It's just to tidy up the case if you will," said Frasier. Horath's next court appearance has been set for the morning of Dec. 14. |
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February 4, 2012
- Roseburg, Oregon
