DONEGAL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The son-in-law of a 67-year-old man whose body was found inside a burned-out car on Route 31 was arrested Thursday, police said.
Officials said they have evidence that suggests Michael Martin planned the attack on his father-in-law.
Earl Weygandt’s body was found after witnesses reported seeing the vehicle smoking late Wednesday night on the berm of the busy roadway. Police later said they were investigating Weygandt’s death as a homicide.
Investigators said they first received a 911 call about a burning car around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday. When officers arrived at the scene, in Donegal Township, they found a man's body inside the vehicle.
According to the police report, Martin lured Weygandt to a parking lot along Route 31 late Wednesday night. Police said Martin claimed that his car was broken down and Weygandt arrived a short time later.
“While they were pulled over some type of activity or engagement ensued,” Trooper Stephen Limani said. “During that activity, Michael Martin stabbed our victim Earl Weygandt nine times -- three of them in the throat severing both jugulars and the esophagus.”
State police said they recovered an antique-style gun at the scene that was registered to Weygandt, but it was not used.
Channel 11’s Joe Holden was there as police arrested Martin. Martin said he stabbed his father-in-law out of self-defense.
“I defended myself, tried to make him drop the gun,” Martin said.
Weygandt’s family said Martin killed their loved one for money.
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office said they will pursue capital murder charges against Martin.
Police said Weygandt had been camping at Roaring Run, something he did often.
"All I can say is he was a very quiet man. From my perspective, you deal with a lot of people who break the rules, but Earl was never one of those people," Roaring Run owner Dave Geddes said. "He was always a good guy."
Weygandt's close friends told Holden that Weygandt was very proud of his many years of service to our country.
"I still can't imagine why anybody would do anything like that because he's such a good, good guy," Bob Kozlowski said.