Bucks Co. Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend Will Stand Trial: DA

MORRISVILLE, PA — A Morrisville man charged with homicide in the July death of his girlfriend was ordered to stand trial during a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Thirty-seven-year-old Evan Marquis Smith appeared by video before Magisterial District Judge Jan Vislosky, who also heard testimony from two Falls Township law enforcement officers about the death of 39-year-old Jamie Beighley. He ruled that enough evidence was presented at the hearing to send all charges against Smith to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

Falls Township Officer Alexander Sansone testified he was among the first officers dispatched to a domestic disturbance at the New Falls Motel, 201 Lincoln Highway, on the night of July 1.

Beighley was found lying on the floor of the motel room without a pulse when first responders arrived. Blood was on the victim’s head, face and hands, and a pool of blood was on the bed.

Sansone testified Smith was also in the motel room, but at some point, he became uncooperative and fled the scene. According to a criminal complaint, officers pursued Smith for a short time before terminating the pursuit in the interest of public safety. He was arrested a short time later in Morrisville.

"Things got out of hand," Falls Township Police reported Smith as saying.

Smith also told police, as filed in the complaint, that the couple had found a "meth rock" on the floor of the motel room earlier in the day, which they'd smoked together.

Beighley was taken to the hospital, where medical reports indicated her injuries were consistent with strangulation. She also suffered head trauma and a possible brain bleed.

Beighley was pronounced dead on July 4. A GoFundMe to aid in her memorial expenses raised $15,520.

"We also ask for continued thoughts and prayers for the family and especially her boys," her sister wrote.

Falls Township Police Detective Dennis O’Connell testified Wednesday about the results of the autopsy, which concluded that the cause of death was manual strangulation. He also testified that during a police interview, Smith demonstrated to him how he used his hands to choke Beighley on the bed.

Smith faces charges of homicide, aggravated assault, strangulation, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and fleeing and eluding. He remains in Bucks County Correctional Facility without bail.

This case was investigated by the Bucks County Detectives and the Falls Township Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Mary Kate Kohler.

Smith's next court date was scheduled for Oct. 8.

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