A Gettysburg College student accused of killing his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday.
Kevin Schaeffer, a 21-year-old senior, is charged with first degree murder after court documents say he admitted to strangling and stabbing 19-year-old Emily Silverstein at his off campus apartment on April 9.
Schaeffer did not appear in court Thursday however, the small courtroom was filled with students, school faculty, and member of the suspect's family.
Outside the Adams County Courthouse, friends gathered waving and crying as Schaeffer was lead back to prison in handcuffs.
His Attorney's would not comment on their defense, only that they plan to began gathering as much evidence as possible.
"Until I have all the information from the government I can't tell you where we are headed." said Allan Sodomsky, Schaeffer's attorney.
"It would also be inappropriate on Mr. Schaeffer's behalf to try this in the polls of public opinion as apposed to the courthouse."
When asked if they would consider an insanity defense, Sodomsky would only say that an insanity defense is possible in any case.
According to Schaeffer's attorneys the suspect, who was once under close watch by prison guards, is now "coming to grips with the fact that he is incarcerated."
District Attorney Shawn Wagner said the prosecution is awaiting lab test from Silverstein's autopsy to determine if the death penalty is appropriate in this case.
Wagner said he will prosecute the case strictly on evidence and the facts. He said he does not need any other motivation than that.
"I was at the crime scene I saw the amount of trauma that was inflicted on the young lady," said Wagner. "Our investigation is starting now, we're going to interview her friends and his friends and get as much background information as possible."
Wagner said Emily Silverstein's family travel from her hometown of Roosevelt, N.J. for the hearing but they did not appear in court.
He said the family is asking for privacy as they focus on the positive things that were important to Emily.
"Emily had a sincere desire for social change and justice in the world," said Wagner "They want to go through with the grieving process to make sure that those desires of Emily's continue on.
Schaeffer will be arraigned in an Adams County court on June 2.
