Mother, teen son plead not guilty in the death of teen's girlfriend
Royce and Rachel Moser appeared in court on Tuesday for their arraignments in the killing of Karoline Heintz, a college student who was found dead in her car in August.
Royce and Rachel Moser both pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in the death of Heintz, according to WTAE.
Heintz was found stabbed to death in her car in August, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Royce Moser, 18, is facing charges including murder, while his mother, 56-year-old Rachel Moser, is facing charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to court records.
They have both been charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence and abuse of a corpse, according to court records.
The district attorney’s office is requesting a jury trial and the two cases are expected to be consolidated for a single trial, according to WTAE.
The court is awaiting the results of Royce Moser’s psychological evaluation, according to WTAE. A mental health evaluation was also requested for Rachel Moser, according to WTAE.
Investigators alleged Heintz met with her boyfriend, Royce Moser, outside his residence to talk when he reportedly got angry and entered the residence. He then retrieved a large kitchen knife and allegedly stabbed Heintz in the chest, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
After she fell from the vehicle, Moser allegedly put her in the rear hatch area of the Jeep and drove to his mother’s residence, according to police.
Rachel Moser then allegedly helped her son by attempting to clean the vehicle and provide him with latex gloves. She then told him to follow her to PennWest-California University, according to police.
The two then allegedly left the vehicle with Heintz in it near the university’s library and drove back to Rachel Moser’s residence, where Royce Moser cleaned his clothes and showered, according to police.
The mother and son are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 30, according to WTAE.
