Abington Woman Claims Insanity in Parents' Murder | 48-Year-Old H.S. Essays Opened

Author

Jamie Buck
January 23, 2024

In Today’s Huntingdon Valley Insider:

📅 Tuesday, January 23, 2024
🚨 Abington Woman Claims Insanity in Parents' Murder
📖 48-Year-Old High School Essays Opened
☔️ Huntingdon Valley’s Weather Rollercoaster
⛅️ Weather + 🏈 Sports + 🎭 Events
🎖️ Local Business Directory + 💁‍♂️ Feature your Business

👀 for best viewing, Read Online

Warmin Up!

Abington Woman Claims Insanity in Parents' Grisly Murder Case

In a shocking case from Abington Township, 44-year-old Verity Beck stands accused of the gruesome murder and dismemberment of her parents, Reid and Miriam Beck. In a recent turn of events, Beck's defense team has announced their intention to pursue an insanity defense in court.

According to court filings, the defense argues that Beck, a resident of Abington, was suffering from a mental disease that impaired her understanding of the nature and wrongfulness of her actions. This claim comes in the wake of the horrific discovery of the elder Becks' bodies in their home last January, each with a single gunshot wound to the head and signs of dismemberment with a chainsaw.

Originally set for the following month, the trial in Montgomery County Court has been postponed to April. This delay allows time for the prosecution's psychiatrist to evaluate Beck. Prosecutors have decided against seeking the death penalty, instead charging Beck with two counts each of first- and third-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and possessing instruments of crime.

The gruesome details of the case emerged when the Becks' son, and Verity's brother, visited their home, only to discover a body under a bloody sheet and a chainsaw nearby. When confronted, Verity Beck reportedly acknowledged that something terrible had happened to their parents.

Adding to the complexity of the case, prosecutors suggest that Beck was struggling financially and faced accusations from her parents of theft. Her defense attorney, James Lyons, is attempting to exclude text messages about financial disputes between Beck and her parents from the trial evidence.

48-Year-Old High School Essays Reveal 1970s Teen Life in Jenkintown

In a nostalgic event in Jenkintown, officials from various local organizations unveiled a collection of personal essays written by students of Jenkintown High School's Local History class in 1976. These essays, sealed in an envelope 48 years ago by their teacher, Dan Chittik, were intended to be opened in 2026. However, the plan changed when Ben Bergman, working on the Jenkintown 150 website, discovered the envelope in the library's archives.

The unsealing ceremony, conducted yesterday, was attended by representatives from Jenkintown 150, the Jenkintown School District, and the Jenkintown Library. Nina Meister, the library's director, noted the variety and personal nature of the essays, which included references to drug use, opinions on life in the 70s, and teenage mischief.

One essay humorously details the author's favorite pastimes, including throwing snowballs at cars. Another candidly discusses underage drinking and the writer's views on his fellow students. This peek into the past offers a unique glimpse into the lives and thoughts of Jenkintown's youth from nearly half a century ago.

In the same spirit of celebrating local history, Jenkintown 150 recently launched its website, featuring historical insights, event lineups, and more. The Jenkintown 150 Facebook page also provides updates on the town's sesquicentennial celebrations.

Huntingdon Valley’s Weather Rollercoaster: Snow, Sun, Rain.

Pennsylvania is bracing for another winter storm this week, following a few chilly days with overnight temperatures dropping into the teens. The National Weather Service reports a gradual warming trend. This brief respite will see a mix of sunshine and clouds, providing some relief from the cold.

However, the break is short-lived as rain is expected to start on Tuesday, continuing into Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service predicts light precipitation, with no flood warnings in place. Less than an inch of rainfall is expected daily from Wednesday to Friday.

The week will see a gradual increase in temperatures, reaching the 40s and 50s on Wednesday and Thursday, along with more rain. By Friday, the precipitation is expected to cease, paving the way for temperatures nearing 60 degrees.

TODAY is… National Pie Day, sponsored by the American Pie Council, is a delightful opportunity to indulge in one of the most beloved desserts without any guilt. It's a celebration of a true national treasure!

Pies, in various forms, are enjoyed worldwide, but in the United States, they hold a special place in the cultural and culinary landscape. This connection is evident in numerous aspects of American culture, from the iconic song "American Pie" by Don McLean to the well-known phrase "as American as apple pie." The apple pie, in particular, has come to represent a slice of American identity and tradition.

🦅 EAGLES
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce was on hand Sunday to cheer on his younger brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, as the Chiefs took on the Buffalo Bills in their AFC divisional playoff game.

Kansas City ultimately emerged victorious with a nail-biting 27-24 win, assisted by Travis Kelce's two touchdowns, but it was the older Kelce's antics that stole the show for many in the audience at Highmark Stadium.

Kelce, a dad of three, attended the game with his parents Donna and Ed Kelce, as well as his wife Kylie Kelce. They shared a suite with several others including Brittany Mahomes -- the wife of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes -- as well as Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce's girlfriend. Midway through the game, Jason Kelce even brought a young fan over to meet the superstar singer.

Complete Local Sports Schedules:
Lower Moreland H.S. Schedule
Upper Moreland H.S. Schedule
Abington Senior H.S. Schedule
HVAA Updates
Bryn Athyn College Schedule
ANC Secondary Schools Athletics

If you OWN a local business and would like to be featured in front of a growing following of H.V. area residents OR if you absolutely LOVE a local business we wanna know! Tap below👇

✅ OWN a Local Business? Get Featured!
❤️ LOVE a Local Business? Tell Us!

Join the conversation

or to participate.