David G. Ludwig murders

Infobox Criminal
subject_name = David George Ludwig

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date_of_birth = Birth date and age|1987|04|28
place_of_birth = Pennsylvania, USA
date_of_death =
place_of_death =
alias =
charge = First degree murder
conviction = First degree murder, reckless endangerment, statutory sexual assault and a firearms violation
penalty = 2 counts Life imprisonment, consecutive sentences
status = Imprisoned

David George Ludwig (born April 28, 1987) is an American who received two life sentences in prison without parole for the murder of Michael and Cathryn Borden in Lititz, Pennsylvania on November 13, 2005. The Bordens were the parents of his girlfriend Kara Beth Borden, who fled with him after the murders.

Background

The Borden and Ludwig families are both from Lititz, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. While not members of the same church, the two families are stated to be devout evangelical Christians, and both families home-schooled their children. David and Kara are reported to have met in a support group for home-schooled children.Raffaele, Martha. [http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2005/11/20/news/news03.txt "Mysteries grow in murders."] "The Sentinel". 20 November 2005.]

Confrontation, murder, and arrest

According to the Lancaster New Era newspaper, friends of Ludwig and Kara Beth say that the two were sexually involved.Stauffer, Cindy And Janet Kelley. [http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/18650 "Secret liaisons?"] "Lancasteronline.com. 22 November 2005.] At the time, Ludwig was 18 years of age and Kara Beth Borden was 14. The age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16; intercourse with a person under 16 and four or more years younger constitutes statutory rape.Fact|date=September 2008 When Ludwig and Borden stayed out all night together, Ludwig was summoned to the Borden home for a confrontation, at which point he shot both parents. Borden's older sister witnessed at least one of the murders.

An Amber Alert was issued for Borden, and the story became national news. Ludwig and Borden were apprehended in the central Indiana town of Belleville, (Hendricks County) on November 15, 2005, after they ran the front end of the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, which belonged to his parents, into a tree, subsequent to a chase by police. The latter phase of this apprehension was carried live on numerous cable television news networks.Fact|date=September 2008 Ludwig waived extradition, and both were (separately) flown back to Pennsylvania.

Investigation

A search warrant of the home of Gregory P. and Jane Ludwig was executed on the same day as the Borden murders, and officers recovered 54 firearms and associated ammunition. The Indiana authorities recovered a .40 caliber Glock semiautomatic pistol from the Ludwig family car which is said to be the murder weapon.Stauffer, Cindy. [http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/19111 "Inside the Ludwig bunker."] "Lancasteronline.com. 7 December 2005.] Police also recovered a Colt 1911 pistol, a Ruger .45 ACP semiautomatic pistol, and a Ruger Mini-14 rifle. Another handgun from the Ludwig collection was reportedly found at the Borden home wrapped in a towel. Additional items reported to have been seized from the Ludwig home by police were at least two computers and a number of video tapes. Among this evidence was an 18 minute video where Ludwig and a friend are seen discussing and perhaps executing a home invasion; according to a court document, they discussed "having sex with Kara and Katelyn Borden, that the sex would constitute statutory rape and the potential to have to shoot a guy named 'Jonathan' if he found out about it."Kelley, Janet And Cindy Stauffer [http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/18714 "Film reveals Ludwig 'night patrols'."] "Lancasteronline.com. 22 November 2005.]

The funeral for the Bordens was held Saturday, November 19, 2005, at Lancaster Bible College. Kara Beth Borden attended. Press reports indicate that she sat with her siblings. The adult Bordens were buried in a dedicated Mennonite cemetery.

Prosecution and imprisonment

The case was pursued by the District Attorney's office of Lancaster County. Ludwig was charged with two counts of first degree homicide, one count each of sexual assault, reckless endangerment of a minor, as well as a firearms violation.

Authorities claim that Ludwig confessed to the murders at the time of his apprehension, and again while in custody.Kelley, Janet. [http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/18787 "Borden went willingly; kidnap charges dropped."] "Lancasteronline.com. 22 November 2005.] An initial charge of kidnapping was dropped after prosecutors determined that Borden willingly accompanied Ludwig, and had intended to run away and get married. Prosecutors initially announced their intent to seek the death penalty for the murder charges,Kelley, Janet. [http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/19345 "DA to seek death for Ludwig."] "Lancasteronline.com. 16 December 2005.] however, on June 14, 2006, Ludwig agreed to a plea deal and was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,199468,00.html "Pennsylvania Teen Pleads Guilty to Killing Girlfriend's Parents, Gets Life in Prison."] "Fox News". 14 June 2006.]

References

External links

* [http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/young/borden_and_ludwig/1.html Crimelibrary.com profile of the murders]