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PLYMOUTH TWP. — Police have arrested a Hunlock Creek man for allegedly stabbing and killing his sister.
Eric Nelson Getz, 39, was arraigned on a charge of criminal homicide in the death of Rebecca Getz, 41, also of the Hunlock Creek section of Plymouth Township. The arraignment was held at Magisterial District Judge Joseph Halesey’s office in Hanover Township.
Before the arraignment, when asked by a reporter if he committed the crime, Getz replied: “She was a bitch; I killed her.” After the arraignment, when asked why he did it, he said: “I was pissed off.”
Police said Getz stabbed his sister in the rear torso with a knife while they were involved in an altercation. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Luzerne County Coroner.
The Major Case Team of Pennsylvania State Police, Troop P in Wyoming, was activated Saturday morning for a criminal homicide that occurred at 107 White Oak Drive, which police identified as the victim’s residence.
According to the affidavit:
An argument broke out at the home around 9:45 a.m., when Rebecca Getz asked to come inside. Eric Getz refused to allow his sister in without either himself or his father in the house, alleging that she had stolen from the home previously.
Eric told police that his sister hit him in the back of the head with an ice scraper after the two argued about the alleged theft. Eric went into the kitchen to retrieve a large knife. Rebecca grabbed Eric from behind, in a “bear hug,” and Eric reached behind himself on his left to stab at her back. Eric said he believed he struck her at this point, the affidavit states.
Rebecca then let go and began walking away, calling Eric “stupid” and insinuated that he was mentally disabled, saying he “needed to be locked up.” Eric allegedly stabbed Rebecca in the back as she was walking away. Rebecca began shouting to their father, Guy Getz, saying that Eric had stabbed her. Eric returned to the kitchen, placed the knife in the kitchen sink and walked outside, according to the affidavit.
Guy Getz called police. State Trooper Fred Lindbuchler arrived on scene, finding Eric on the front porch with a towel wrapped his arm, having sustained an injury in the struggle. Eric allegedly told Lindbuchler, “She stabbed me.”
Lindbuchler took over performing chest compressions from Guy until EMS arrived at approximately 10:18 a.m. and were unable to find a pulse. The victim’s vital signs were relayed electronically to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, and she was pronounced dead at 10:25 a.m.
State police interviewed Getz at approximately 3 p.m. at Troop P, Wyoming Barracks. After the interview, police felt there was sufficient evidence to place Getz under arrest.
A preliminary hearing for Getz is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 15. Halesy denied bail for Getz based on the severity of the crime.