Florida Man Stands Trial For Alleged Rape And Murder More Than 30 Years Ago

A Florida man will stand trial in the rape and slaying of a 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl more than three decades ago. 

George Shaw, 56, of Geneva, allegedly drugged and suffocated Barbara Rowan to death inside of his Bensalem, Pennsylvania, apartment, then dumped her body along a highway in 1984.

Shaw, Rowan, Credit: Bucks County Prosecutor's Office

Rowan's badly decomposed body was found 13 days later in a wooded. An autopsy determined that the girl had died of asphyxiation.

He was arrested two years ago along with 53-year-old Robert Sanders. Sanders has since acknowledged helping Shaw transport the girl's body, and is expected to testify against Shaw. 

Sanders pleaded guilty in February to hindering Shaw's apprehension by previously giving police bad information. He's yet to be sentenced.

Defense attorney Louis Busico says Shaw "strongly maintains his innocence."

Shaw's bench trial before Bucks County Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. begins Tuesday. 

He's charged with criminal homicide, rape and possessing an instrument of crime.


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