Judge: Slain Pa. woman's statements admissible

READING, Pa. (AP) — Statements made by a Pennsylvania woman who police say died after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend in 2009 can be used as evidence in the man’s murder trial.

Berks County Judge Stephen Lieberman on Tuesday ruled prosecutors can use the 911 call placed by Maria Serrano and her statements to police following the alleged attack by Donald Williams.

Investigators say the 34-year-old Philadelphia man raped and stabbed Serrano before dumping gasoline on her and setting her on fire on June 25, 2009. Serrano died about six weeks later.

The Reading Eagle reports the defense argued that Serrano’s statements should not be admissible because she cannot be cross-examined.

Williams had previously been convicted of third-degree murder in a 1994 slaying and was paroled in 2008.