The testimony came during back-to-back preliminary hearings for James L. Jones, 19, and Stephen A. Daddezio, 17, both of West Grove. District Judge Matthew Seavey ruled that sufficient evidence existed to hold both for trial on all charges related to the deaths of Cuahuctemoc Bedolla, 27, and Jose Rodriguez, 29, both of West Grove.
Jones is accused of killing Bedolla. Daddezio is accused of participating in the murder plot.
New Garden Township Police Sgt. Joseph Nangle testified that Jones, who was represented by Assistant Public Defender Meredith Copeland, told him he was "knocked to the ground" during the fight, took out a knife, and stabbed an individual three times. It was recovered at the scene, Nangle said.
Chester County Detective Robert Dougherty testified that a man affiliated with the Vikings saw Jones and Daddezio the day after the killings and tried to confront them, but they fled. In the process, Daddezio, an Avon Grove High student, stumbled and dropped his cellphone, which ended up with investigators.
Defense attorney Mark Rassman argued unsuccessfully that prosecutors could not trace the incriminating messages recovered on the phone, including a reference to the killings, to Daddezio because he had lent the phone to Jones.
For security reasons, the hearing was held at the Justice Center in West Chester rather than at Avondale District Court. Deputy sheriffs, including a K-9 unit, monitored the proceeding.
Nangle testified that the investigation began when officers responded to Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove at 11 p.m. Dec. 3 for a report that Bedolla was critically injured from apparent knife wounds. Bedolla was flown to Christiana Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
