Soldier accused in Ligonier killing returns to state

A soldier accused of killing a retired Ligonier businessman was returned to Pennsylvania today to face murder and arson charges.

Anthony B. Mowry, 18, formerly of Unity, waived extradition yesterday in Bell County District Court in Killeen, Texas, said Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck.

He was arraigned late last night before Hempfield District Judge Mark Mansour on charges of criminal homicide, murder, robbery, arson and theft in the death of William McMichael Jones, 75.

Jones' body was found last Wednesday morning in his East Main Street apartment in Ligonier when firefighters were summoned to put out a fire. Mowry is accused of beating Jones with chimes from a grandfather clock, a candlestick and his fists before stabbing him, according to a police affidavit.

Mowry admitted to Westmoreland County detectives Friday that he accompanied Jones to his Main Street apartment to have sex, but then beat Jones and cut his throat before setting the apartment ablaze and stealing Jones' car, the affidavit alleges.

Mowry, who was dressed in a green shirt and blue jeans as he arrived for his arraignment, appeared calm as he answered questions from the magistrate. He said he could not afford an attorney.

Mansour ordered Mowry held without bail at the Westmoreland County Prison.

Peck said he has not yet decided whether he will seek the death penalty in the case. He said he will make a decision within the next several weeks, when Mowry is arraigned before a Westmoreland County judge.

After the killing, Mowry returned to Fort Hood in Texas where he is serving in the U.S. Army. He is a private with the 664th Ordnance Company, which is part of the 180th Transportation Battalion. Both units are part of the 13th Sustainment Command at Fort Hood, according to a military spokesman.

Mowry ditched Jones' car along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, near the Donegal interchange, where he was picked up by friends and driven to Pittsburgh International Airport, according to police. Mowry then took a plane to Texas.

Greg Mowry, the defendant's father, would not discuss his son.

"I don't like what you've written about my son," he said. "I've had enough headlines."

Anthony Mowry told detectives that he knew Jones before he went to the apartment. Peck and investigators will not say when or how the two men met.