Statements Allowed in Trial in 2010 Murder

A judge says statements allegedly made to police by a suburban Philadelphia man following a murder three years ago can be used at his trial.

Twenty-four-year-old Gabriel Martinez-Lopez of King of Prussia is charged with first-degree murder in Montgomery County in the April 2010 slaying of Jose Armando Olarte.

Authorities say the victim was kidnapped from his Collingdale home, driven to Upper Merion and beaten to death with a landscaping rock.

The victim's wife, 31-year-old Delia Hernandez-Cortes, and the defendant's brother, 29-year-old Jose Martinez-Lopez, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in May.

Defense attorney Frank Genovese wanted prosecutors barred from using some of his client's statements, citing a language barrier.

The (Norristown) Times Herald says Common Pleas Judge Joseph Smyth denied the suppression motion Tuesday following a daylong hearing.

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