Jury finds Joshua Hupperterz guilty of Temple student Jenna Burleigh's murder
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A jury found Joshua Hupperterz guilty of the murder of Temple University student Jenna Burleigh in the summer of 2017.
After deliberating less than 90 minutes Thursday, the jury convicted 30-year-old Hupperterz on all counts. The judge called the crime outrageous and depraved, the worst he has seen in a long time.
He then sentenced Hupperterz to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Hupperterz was accused of beating, stabbing and and strangling 22-year-old Burleigh in his North Philadelphia apartment in August 2017.
Officials say Hupperterz and Burleigh met at a Temple area bar, then at closing time, the pair went to Hupperterz's apartment a short distance away on the 1700 block of North 16th Street where there was a brutal altercation and he killed her.
He transported the body to his mother's garage in Jenkintown, and then to his grandmother's property in the Poconos where it was ultimately discovered.
In a surprise twist, Hupperterz pleaded guilty to the abuse of a corpse, but his attorney then claimed in court that Jenna's killer was actually Hupperterz's roommate, who was asleep in another part of the apartment.
Jenna's parents both gave impact statements at the sentencing.
They described Jenna as a caring and compassionate person who wanted peace.
"Obviously, we are very pleased with the outcome," said Jenna's father, Joseph Edward "Ed" Burleigh, III. "We feel justice has been served for Jenna."
Hupperterz' attorney said he wasn't surprised by the quick verdict given the amount of evidence.
"The jury has spoken and as I said we respect that," said David Nenner. "They heard the evidence and made their decision."
Hupperterz was also found guilty of three lesser charges including abuse of a corpse.
Nenner said given the life sentence they will be looking at options for to appeal for a lighter sentence or even a new trial.
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