Scott Elwood Graham (file mugshot) will be extradited from California to face Open Murder charges in the 1980 death of Stella Lintemuth. (June 3, 2009)
BIG RAPIDS -
(AP) A former Baldwin man has been arraigned on a charge of open murder more than 29 years after police say he killed a woman in her Big Rapids home two days shy of her 90th
birthday.
The Pioneer reports 62-year-old Scott Elwood Graham was arraigned Tuesday in 77th District Court in Mecosta County.
He is charged in the April 23, 1980, death of 89-year-old Stella Lintemuth.
Evidence taken in 1980 was processed in 2007 using new technology and a warrant then was issued for Graham's arrest. He had been civilly committed in California and arrived in Big Rapids Saturday to face prosecution.
Graham will return to court June 30.
He was ordered held in the Mecosta County Jail without bond.
Graham requested a court-appointed attorney.
June 3, 2009
A family in the Big Rapids community will now have a chance at some closure nearly 30 years after a woman was murdered in her home.
Stella Lintemuth was found murdered in her Big Rapids home on April 23, 1980. She's remembered by family as a model grandmother. A retired school teacher that loved to bake, play the organ, and take care of her four grandchildren.
After being found beaten and stabbed to death inside her quiet Big Rapids home, 27 years went by without an arrest in the case.
Almost two years ago to the day, detectives announced they matched evidence at the crime scene to now 62 year old Scott Elwood Graham. He's faced Open Murder charges in the case since the breakthrough, but has remained in a state mental facility near Los Angeles until now.
Officials in Big Rapids say arrangements are being made to transport Graham back to Big Rapids sometime within the next three weeks.
Prosecutors in the case say Graham didn't know Lintemuth personally, adding modern technology helped them link a key piece of evidence found at the crime scene to Graham back in 2007.
Graham had actually been arrested in Baldwin, Michigan for a separate offense near the date of Lintemuth's death. The mugshot being shown is from that arrest.
The Big Rapids Department of Public Safety says a press conference is scheduled upon Graham's arrival.
The Pioneer reports 62-year-old Scott Elwood Graham was arraigned Tuesday in 77th District Court in Mecosta County.
He is charged in the April 23, 1980, death of 89-year-old Stella Lintemuth.
Evidence taken in 1980 was processed in 2007 using new technology and a warrant then was issued for Graham's arrest. He had been civilly committed in California and arrived in Big Rapids Saturday to face prosecution.
Graham will return to court June 30.
He was ordered held in the Mecosta County Jail without bond.
Graham requested a court-appointed attorney.
June 3, 2009
A family in the Big Rapids community will now have a chance at some closure nearly 30 years after a woman was murdered in her home.
Stella Lintemuth was found murdered in her Big Rapids home on April 23, 1980. She's remembered by family as a model grandmother. A retired school teacher that loved to bake, play the organ, and take care of her four grandchildren.
After being found beaten and stabbed to death inside her quiet Big Rapids home, 27 years went by without an arrest in the case.
Almost two years ago to the day, detectives announced they matched evidence at the crime scene to now 62 year old Scott Elwood Graham. He's faced Open Murder charges in the case since the breakthrough, but has remained in a state mental facility near Los Angeles until now.
Officials in Big Rapids say arrangements are being made to transport Graham back to Big Rapids sometime within the next three weeks.
Prosecutors in the case say Graham didn't know Lintemuth personally, adding modern technology helped them link a key piece of evidence found at the crime scene to Graham back in 2007.
Graham had actually been arrested in Baldwin, Michigan for a separate offense near the date of Lintemuth's death. The mugshot being shown is from that arrest.
The Big Rapids Department of Public Safety says a press conference is scheduled upon Graham's arrival.
