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Suspect confesses to 'intentional' murder'
By Justin Quinn, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Intelligencer Journal Published: Nov 22, 2005 9:48 AM EST 
LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Minutes after her boyfriend allegedly shot and killed her parents, 14-year-old Kara Beth Borden ran down the driveway and jumped into his car, intending to "get as far away as possible, get married and start a new life," according to a court document released Monday.The same document also reveals David G. Ludwig admitted killing Michael F. and Cathryn Lee Borden, both 50, in their home on Nov. 13.
"It was an intentional murder, I intended to shoot them, and I did," Ludwig told a Lancaster County detective, according to the document.
Authorities charged Ludwig with kidnapping Kara after the slayings. They now believe she willingly fled with Ludwig.
"Consequently, the charge of kidnapping will be withdrawn at the preliminary hearing," prosecutors announced in the document. "While the information provided to Warwick Township Police Department on Nov. 13 provided officers with probable cause to believe that (Kara Borden) had been kidnapped, subsequent investigation has determined that (Kara Borden) voluntarily left her residence with David Ludwig."
Ludwig, 18, of 422-A W. Orange St., Lititz, and Kara were captured Nov. 14 by Indiana State Police after a nationwide manhunt. Ludwig was flown back to Lancaster County the next day to face two counts of criminal homicide and one count each of kidnapping and recklessly endangering another person.
Kara was flown back to the county in a separate airplane and was subsequently interviewed by county Detective Joseph P. Geesey.
According to the document filed by prosecutors, Kara told county Detective Joseph P. Geesey that, after allegedly killing her parents, Ludwig was unable to find her.
"Therefore, he fled the residence and drove around in his car in an effort to locate her," the document reads. "After traveling approximately 15 feet, the defendant saw (Kara) running down the road towards him. Ludwig then opened the door, and (Kara) got into the car. (Kara) told the defendant that she wanted to stay with him, and they drove west with the intent to 'get as far away as possible, get married and start a new life.'"ˆ"
She also told Geesey, according to the filing, that "at no time did the defendant force her to go with him after he shot and killed her parents. Rather, she acknowledged going with him 'of her own free will.'"ˆ"
The 14-year-old also described the killings.
"Ms. (Borden) was present in her home when the defendant David Ludwig arrived ... ," the document reads. "After a lengthy conversation between the defendant and Michael Borden, (Kara) observed the defendant pull out a gun and shoot her father. As she fled from the house, (Kara) then saw the defendant turn and point his gun towards her mother."
Ludwig corroborated Kara's statement to Geesey with one of his own, according to the latest filing.
"After talking for 30 to 45 minutes, Mr. Borden informed the defendant that he was no longer permitted to see (Kara)," the document reads. "For that reason, the defendant 'decided to shoot her dad and her mom.'"ˆ"
Ludwig told Geesey that he "drew the pistol and shot her dad in the back as he was going down the hallway to the front door. I was behind him, I may have taken two steps toward him. I pulled the gun when I stood up, took two steps down the hallway and fired. His back was towards me.'"ˆ"
Ludwig continued his confession, according to the document, by saying he turned from Mr. Borden and proceeded back into the living room.
"I took about two steps in to the living room," Ludwig told Geesey. "I shot Kara's mom as she was sitting in the chair."
Friday, Assistant Public Defender James Gratton and Deputy Public Defender Merrill Spahn filed a motion to preserve evidence. Their motion suggested Kara was not kidnapped after the killings of her parents.
Lancaster County District Attorney Donald R. Totaro filed an answer to the defense request Monday and, for the first time, made known his intention to drop the kidnapping charge.
Reached Monday night, Totaro said prosecutors "will continue to aggressively prosecute the defendant" on the remaining charges.
"The decision to withdraw this charge was made prior to the defendant's motion, based upon several interviews last week that clearly showed Kara Borden voluntarily left her residence with the defendant," Totaro said. "The defense motion simply expedited the announcement."
Judge Joseph C. Madenspacher signed an order Monday "to preserve any and all physical and electronic evidence" as identified in the defense motion and agreed to by the prosecution.
"The order that's been entered satisfies our concerns that the evidence is being preserved," Gratton said Monday. "It is not appropriate for me to comment on the facts at this time."
The defense motion sought to preserve the contents of Ludwig's wallet; Internet evidence, including personal Web sites and e-mail correspondences between Ludwig and Kara; cell phone records; and records from their computers and hand-held computers. The defense motion also wanted to preserve videotape evidence, which would be ascertainable only through the contents of Ludwig's wallet.
Totaro's answer says it is unknown whether Ludwig's wallet contains evidence for "all stops" made during his and Kara's flight from the county, but promises that "any videotape evidence in the custody of the Commonwealth will be provided to the defendant "¦ ."
The Bordens reportedly had forbidden Kara from seeing Ludwig because of the age difference between the teens. A witness told investigators the teens, who had been secretly dating, had a sexual relationship.
Kara had reportedly told her parents she was at a sleepover Nov. 12, but after Ludwig dropped her off at her home about 6 a.m. Nov. 13, they determined she had been with him.
The Bordens summoned him back to the house to discuss the situation, according to Warwick Township police.
When Ludwig returned, he concealed a .40-caliber handgun in his clothing, police said.
Kara's brother, David, 11, and sister, Katelyn, 15, also were in the house. The children ran to neighboring homes as Ludwig and Kara fled in the Ludwigs' Volkswagen.
Justin Quinn's e-mail address is jquinn@lnpnews.com
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