St. Johnsbury, Vt. - The couple accused of brutally killing a popular St. Johnsbury teacher, faces more serious charges.
Allen and Patricia Prue are accused of stunning Melissa Jenkins with a stun gun, then strangling and beating her to death.
On Tuesday, the couple pleaded not guilty to upgraded charges. Allen's charge was changed from second degree murder to first degree murder. Patricia's charge was changed from second degree to aggravated murder.
Much of the new evidence that led to the upgraded charges came from stories Patricia Prue told fellow inmates in jail. In some cases, the inmates told police it sounded like she was bragging.
Court papers say Patricia told, or was overheard, saying she and Allen found Jenkins attractive but they thought Jenkins treated them poorly.
The documents also say Patricia was open about how she and Allen sexually assaulted Jenkins while they beat and strangled her.
In response to the upgraded charges, the Jenkins' cousin and her husband, who attended the court appearance, did not want to discuss the details.
"Nothing is going to bring Melissa back again. So, therefore there's no justice. We're just trying to work through this as a family as best we can," Eric Berry said.
The Prue's are not due back in court for a few months. If convicted, the Waterford couple faces life in prison.
