Adam Trump
Trisha EdelmanCARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM) -
A man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to murdering his ex-girlfriend and her unborn baby in January 2011, according to court documents.
Adam Trump admitted to shooting 21-year-old Trisha Edelman in the stomach while she was approximately 18 weeks pregnant.
Trump pleaded to one count of third degree murder and one count of murder of an unborn child.
Trump will spend 20-40 years in prison, according to Cumberland County District Attorney Dave Freed.
Freed said his office was initially seeking a first degree murder conviction, but the evidence was insufficient to prove that.
"We had one story told by the physical evidence, another somewhat similar one told by the defendant and the evidence wasn't enough to completely refute his version of events," he said.
Edelman's family told abc27 Tuesday they accept the guilty plea, but believe a jury would have determined the murder was pre-meditated.
"For me it was hard, but I'm going to support my mother with any decision she makes," Trisha's brother Cody Edelman said. "I think there's enough evidence to convict on first degree murder, but that's not going to happen."
Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Smith, who prosecuted the case, told abc27 violent offenders typically serve 70-80 percent of their total sentence. He believes Trump will spend at least 30-35 years in state prison.
