Judge Rules Jurors Can Hear Confession From Skyler Kaufman Murder Suspect
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - A Montgomery County judge has ruled that jurors can hear the confession James Troutman allegedly made to police the morning after he allegedly killed nine-year-old Skyler Kauffman in the basement of an apartment complex in Souderton last year.
If the case goes to trial, prosecutors will be allowed to introduce the 22-page statement Troutman allegedly gave to police during a 13-hour stay at the police station. The judge ruled the 25-year-old man's constitutional rights were not violated.
The defense had asked for the statement to be thrown out, claiming Troutman was fatigued and under duress (see related story).
Troutman allegedly confessed to police that he choked and sexually assaulted the little girl, then put her body in a dumpster behind the apartment complex on Chestnut Street. The lead detective in the case testified that Troutman repeatedly said "I'm a monster" and asked police to shoot him so he wouldn't have to go to jail.
