Bellle Vernon man looks to suppress statements in alleged murder suicide
The attorney for the elderly Belle Vernon man accused of criminal homicide following an alleged botched suicide attempt is asking the court to suppress statements the man made to police.
Edward Paul Friday, 81, through his attorney Michael J. Machen, filed the motion to suppress the statements made to Rostraver Township Police on May 22.
Friday reportedly told police on that date that he and his wife made a pact to kill themselves. However, his wife allegedly had a change of heart.
Wilma Jean Friday, 82, began to cut her own throat with a knife but could not complete the act, police said. Her husband had defensive scratches on his arm where she allegedly tried to stop him from cutting her.
She died two days later at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
In his suppression motion, Machen claimed that Friday was unable to understand or consent to speaking with police, making it an involuntary waiver of his right against self-incrimination and right to counsel.
Police said they found Wilma Friday lying unconscious in a pool of blood at the couple’s 5127 Cedar Hills Boulevard home in Rostraver Township.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht ruled Wilma Friday’s death a homicide.
Edward Friday allegedly tried to kill himself by cutting his wrists and taking 20 Oxycontin pills. He was hospitalized at Monongahela Valley Hospital until just before his arrest June 3.
A judge will make a decision regarding the suppression request at a later time.
Friday is being held without bail in Westmoreland County Prison on charges of criminal homicide and murder in the first degree.