SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. -
Many people wondered why the couple accused of killing Melissa Jenkins don't face more serious charges.
Caledonia County State's Attorney Lisa Warren says she charged Allen and Patricia Prue with second degree murder charges because of the evidence at the time of arrest.
She says that could change as the investigation continues.
The husband and wife are accused of a horrific crime.
Police say the Prues lured Jenkins out of her home, strangled her and dumped her body in the Connecticut River.
"It certainly looked like a crime that was well thought out," says Michele Martinez Campbell, Vermont Law School associate professor.
Martinez Campbell is a former federal prosecutor and says the Prues' call to Jenkins the night of her death was important.
"It was interesting to me that they used a prepaid phone. To me that suggests they did not want that call traced," says Martinez Campbell.
Martinez Campbell says that type of evidence is important.
Right now the Prues face a charge of second degree murder. If there's enough proof that the Prues planned and thought about killing Jenkins, Martinez Campbell says prosecutors could consider first degree murder.
"There would be nothing that would prevent authorities from bringing that charge later," says Martinez Campbell.
First degree murder could mean a longer prison sentence than second degree. Either way the punishment will probably not be enough for friends of Jenkins.
"I mean to do what they did to her, oh my god, the same should be done to them," says Marion Beattie Cairns, a friend of Jenkins.
Martinez Campbell says because the Prues are accused of using a phone during the crime, it opens the door to federal charges. But it's rare federal prosecutors take over a state case, though that happened in the Brooke Bennett death.
