Not guilty plea in tourist's death

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) - September 5, 2008

Robert Davies did not speak during his arraignment hearing Thursday and was returned to the Atlantic County Jail, where he was being held on $500,000 bail.

The 47-year-old Davies was indicted last month on charges of murder, aggravated manslaughter, manslaughter and weapons offenses.

Prosecutors said Davies was fighting with another person when Lavern P. Ritch of Penarth, Wales, tried to intervene and was stabbed once in the chest. Ritch, who was not involved in the fight, died a short time later at a nearby hospital.

Authorities said Davies fled the scene and disposed of the knife, but turned himself in several days later.

Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.