Dressed in orange, 30-year old Allen Prue appeared emotionless as he walked into a St. Johnsbury, Vermont courtroom Wednesday. The Waterford man was formally charged with killing 33-year-old Melissa Jenkins.
His wife, 33-year old Patricia Prue, was also charged with helping her husband commit the crime. Court documents show on Sunday Allen Prue was driving with his wife when he got the idea to, "get a girl."
That's when police say they targeted Jenkins. Allen used to plow Jenkins' driveway, and had asked her out several times.
Police say Patricia Prue called Jenkins Sunday night and said she was having car trouble and needed help. Patricia Prue made the call on a pre-paid cell phone bought at Wal-Mart in Littleton, New Hampshire.
Jenkins agreed to help but was concerned and called an ex-boyfriend because, "she wanted to make sure someone knew what was going on." The couple met Jenkins near her home on Goss Hollow Road in St. Johnsbury.
That's where police say Allen Prue pulled Jenkins out of her car, beat her, kicked her, and strangled her. Prue put Jenkins in his car and took off, leaving Jenkins two-year-old son Ty alone in the car.
Police say while Prue drove to his home, Patricia Prue also choked Jenkins to ensure she wasn't breathing. When they got to their Waterford home police say the couple took off Jenkins clothes, poured bleach on her, wrapped her in a blanket, and put her in the car.
Then they drove to Barnet, where police say Allen Prue dumped Jenkins' body in the river. The Prues continued on to New Hampshire where police say they burned evidence.
Police say they used Melissa Jenkins cell phone records to trace the pre-paid cell phone back to the Prues, which eventually lead to their arrests. The Caledonia County State's Attorney says based on Prue's past interest in Jenkins, there's a possibility there was a sexual motive for this crime.
Both Prues are being held without bail. No word on when they head back to court.
