House Hunt: 24 Homes on the Market

Three homes hit the market in Telford, North Wales and Hatfield. Three have reduced in price.

NEW LISTING! — 39 Salford Way, Telford — $522,720 — 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Big bang for your buck! One of the Preserve at Salford's largest homes, this Bennington model by W.B. Homes is ready for you! At over 4400 sf of living space, it's priced in the same range as other far smaller homes in the neighborhood. The huge walkout basement could add even more room. Hi-efficiency HVAC. Make sure you put this one on your list of homes to see today- won't last long! For seller financing incentives, buyers and their agents are requested to contact our designated Chase loan officer. Listed with Karl Kutzner, Coldwell Banker Realty Corp., 600 E. Main St., Lansdale. (215) 855-5600.  NEW LISTING! — 304 Croft Road, North Wales — $300,000 — 4 bedrooms, …

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Judge Rules Troutman Confession Is In

Prosecuters will be allowed to introduce Troutman's alleged confession to police during his interrogation.

According to CBS Philly.com, lawyers for James Lee Troutman, the 25-year-old Souderton man accused of raping and murdering 9-year-old Skyler Kaufman in May of last year, were denied their request to suppress Troutman's supposed confession to police during his interrogation. Troutman's lawyer, William Craig Penglase, filed papers with the court saying that any of Troutman’s statements were “tainted by the circumstances surrounding the interrogation, especially the duration of the interrogation and the defendant’s physical and psychological state during the multiple interrogation sessions.” A judge ruled that jurors can hear the confession James Troutman allegedly made to police the morning after he was taken into custody. According to an …

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Defense Attorney Wants Accused Murderer's Confession Suppressed

James Lee Troutman, accused of raping and murdering 9-year-old Skyler Kaufman, allegedly confessed to police during a 13-hour interrogation.

The trial of James Lee Troutman, the 25 year-old Souderton man accused of raping and murdering his 9-year-old neighbor Skyler Kaufman on May 9 of last year, is underway and according to several media sources, Kaufman's defense attorney is trying to have certain evidence suppressed. According to an Associated Press report, Montgomery County Detective Christopher Kuklentz testified on Monday that Troutman cried as he confessed to the crimes. “He repeatedly said, ‘I’m a monster,’" Kuklentz told the court. "He continued to ask us to shoot him so he would not go to jail.” Troutman's lawyer, William Craig Penglase, is trying to have any alleged confession suppressed, saying Troutman was interrogated for over 13 hours. According to The Times …

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Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

In light of the Jaycee Duggard's interview with Diane Sawyer, the rape and murder of Skyler Kauffman, and recent arrest of a vicious pedophile in Souderton, it might be time to have a conversation with your kids.

Troutman Requests More Info From Prosecutors to Prepare Defense

James Lee Troutman, 24, is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering 9-year-old Skyler Kauffman.

Troutman Pleads Not Guilty, DA Seeks Death Penalty

The case is scheduled for trial next January.

In front of a packed courtroom filled with the family and friends of the victim, James Lee Troutman pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges stemming from the death of 9-year-old Skyler Kauffman in May. Troutman, 24, was surrounded by three guards, and sat silently with his head down as the prosecution read the charges aloud. The charges include first and second degree murder, rape of a child with intent to harm, kidnapping, false imprisonment and abuse of a corpse. Skyler's father, Eric Kauffman, was visibly upset and wept through most of the proceeding. When Troutman was escorted from the courtroom, the elder Kauffman's grief changed to anger. Two family members had to physically restrain him in his seat. The trial is slated to begin at the …

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Skyler Kauffman Memorial Group Loses Nonprofit Status

A plan is in the works for Project Safe Playground to continue its efforts in Souderton.

The nonprofit Project Safe Playground—a Souderton-based group that has been raising money to build a safe playground in the borough in the wake of the death of Skyler Kauffman—has lost its nonprofit status, but will be refocusing its efforts elsewhere. According to a post by organizer Stephanie Haas on the project's Facebook page, the group lost its 501(c)3 status due to “family drama." The group has, so far, raised $1,554 toward the playground. According to the group’s page, cash donations on record will be returned. Anything left over will be donated to Indian Valley AMBUCS for its AMTryke Fund. Raffles will also be returned, as well. The group plans to continue on the path toward its goal to build a playground at Chestnut Street and …

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Eagles Soar as South Rises Up in Montco All-Star Game

The Montgomery County All-Star Game is presented by the Maxwell Football Club and Souderton Rotary Club.

Any of the 3,200 people in attendance at the 2011 Montgomery County All-Star Classic who wanted to see a knock-down, drag-out battle to the end were probably disappointed with Monday night’s 38-14 outcome. In what will probably never be confused with a classic clash, the South rose again to claim the hardware and bragging rights in the 44th annual gridiron meeting. It was, for many, the last time they would step onto a football field to compete. What fans did witness was an outstanding display of the area's best senior talent in a unique environment that has arch rivals playing together for one purpose and one cause. “It was cool playing with guys that are usually trying to kill you,” said Upper Dublin defensive end Ryan Hopkins. “It has …

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FBI Warns of New Tactics Used by Online Predators

Social networking sites and online gaming platforms are increasingly used by pedophiles to "groom" potential victims.

The recent sexual assault and murder of Skyler Kauffman has many parents and family members struggling with how to talk to children about personal safety. But while we wrestle with how best to instruct our kids to stay out of harms way in our own neighborhoods, the threat of being victimized online grows ever larger. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it’s a recipe for trouble: naive teenagers, predatory adults and a medium — the Internet — that easily connects them. “It’s an unfortunate fact of life that pedophiles are everywhere online,” said Special Agent Greg Wing, who supervises a cyber squad in an FBI's field office. When a young person visits an online forum for a popular teen singer or actor, Wing said, “…

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Norristown Cousin Raising Money for Skyler Kauffman's Family

There are collection jars in shops in Norristown, Exeter, Douglassville and Reading and now donations can be made online.

Since the tragic death of Skyler Kauffman, many family members and community volunteers have launched campaigns to help raise money for funeral and memorial expenses. Thanks to the victim's cousin, Christine Pendleton, you can make your donation online. "Yesterday, we were out all day with buckets and flyers," said Pendleton in an interview on Thursday. "We're doing everything we can in the area. We have flyers and donation cans at several shops."  Pendleton has put up flyers and donation jars in Norristown, Exeter, Douglassville and Reading. Aside from her grassroots fundraising, Pendleton has created a PayPal account, where people can donate. Donations can be made to cep116677@yahoo.com, under the "Send Money" tab on the main page. …

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