Bucks County Prosecutors Pursue Death Penalty Against Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Prosecutors in Bucks County say they will pursue the death penalty against Kenneth Patterson who is accused of murdering his former girlfriend Diane Corado in December. Police have still not found her body.

Patterson appeared in court in Bucks County for his formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to charges that include first-degree murder, kidnapping and burglary. The 57-year-old Levittown woman has been declared legally dead even though authorities have failed to locate her body and Patterson is not talking.

Prosecutor Michelle Henry says they are seeking the death penalty based on two aggravating circumstances.

"The first being that he committed this murder while in the course of committing another felony. In this case it would be kidnapping and burglary and also because of the defendant's extensive violent criminal history," Henry said.

Patterson's public defender asked Judge Alan Rubenstein to remove him from the case citing a conflict of interest but that was denied. A trial date has been set for late August.

Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio