Late Monday, July 27th, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Abington Township Police Chief Patrick Molloy announced the arrest of Gilbert Newton III, 18, of Philadelphia, on First-Degree Murder and related charges in the homicide of Morgan Darlyn McCaffery, 18, of Abington Township.
From the notice:
At 8:15 a.m., Abington Township Police responded to the Meadowbrook Train Station. Upon arrival, police found an unresponsive woman, later identified as McCaffery, lying in the parking lot next to her running car. The victim was covered in blood from apparent stab or cutting wounds to her neck and stomach. Second Alarmers Rescue Squad determined the victim was deceased. A witness reported to police seeing a white Jeep fleeing the scene.
Abington Police and Montgomery County Detectives launched a joint investigation into the apparent homicide. The investigation revealed that the victim had broken off a yearlong relationship with the defendant a month prior to the murder and she had gone to the train station to meet Newton to discuss their relationship. At approximately 10 a.m., Philadelphia Police responded to defendant’s residence following a 911 call. They found the defendant sitting on the couch, wearing bloody clothing. A white Jeep Patriot was parked on the street in front of the residence.
“A young woman with her whole life ahead of her, just graduated from high school, was brutally stabbed to death,” said Steele. “This murder is a tragedy for her family, her friends and everyone who loved her. Sadly, we are seeing relationship violence and domestic violence far too often during this pandemic.”
An autopsy was conducted today by Dr. Ian Hood of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Dr. Hood determined that McCaffery died of more than 30 stab and slash wounds and the manner of death was homicide.
Newton was charged with First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder and Possessing an Instrument of Crime. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Francis Bernhardt. Bail is not available for First-Degree Murder, and the defendant was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m., Aug. 4, 2020, before Magisterial District Judge John D. Kessler.
Photo: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office