Trial begins Wednesday in strangling of CHOP doctor

Trial to begin in strangling of doctor

A Philadelphia jury is to begin hearing testimony Wednesday in the murder trial of a Levittown exterminator accused in the 2013 strangling of Melissa Ketunuti, a pediatrician and researcher at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

On Tuesday, Common Pleas Court Judge Sandy L.V. Byrd heard testimony on motions by defense attorney J. Michael Farrell challenging the legality of the search of Jason Smith's home, and to throw out a statement Smith made to police admitting he killed Ketunuti. Byrd said he would rule Wednesday morning.

Smith, 39, is accused of killing Ketunuti, 35, on Jan. 21, 2013, during an argument at her house in 1700 block of Naudain Street in the Graduate Hospital area.

Smith was hired to rid Ketunuti's house of mice. Police say Ketunuti questioned Smith's work, he got angry and strangled her. Smith then allegedly set Ketunuti's body on to destroy the crime scene. - Joseph A. Slobodzian