Hearing denied for man charged with capital murder

Posted at 10:37 AM, January 8, 2021 and last updated 3:31 PM, July 21, 2023

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A judge has denied a request for a probable cause hearing for a New Hampshire man accused of killing his wife’s lover and forcing her to decapitate him

The Jaffrey man is accused of kidnapping Jonathan Amerault, 25, of Keene, on Sept. 19, shooting him to death in a car and hiding the body at a campsite in far northern New Hampshire. He was charged in October with capital murder and with beating and threatening his wife, who has been charged with falsifying evidence. Both have pleaded not guilty.

The husband has repeatedly asked for a probable cause hearing and argues the only evidence against him is the word of his wife, who has reason to lie. A judge rejected that request Thursday, saying that argument wasn’t sufficient to warrant a hearing.

.>READ MORE: Police say man killed wife’s lover, ordered her to behead him

The Associated Press is not naming the couple because doing so could identify the woman, who says she suffered extreme abuse.