PA Superior Court upholds double murder conviction

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Superior Court has upheld the double murder convictions and double life sentence of Gregory Rowe for the May 2004 killings of seventeen year-old Kristin Fisher and seven month-old Kaylee Fisher. Rowe was convicted after a week-long trial in Pike County Court in January 2006, of killing Kristin and Kaylee in their Greentown home. Pike County President Judge Joseph F. Kameen then sentenced Rowe to a double life sentence on Feb. 8, 2006. Pike County First Assistant District Attorney Ray Tonkin was the lead trial prosecutor and argued the case on appeal for the Pike County District Attorney’s Office. Tonkin said that they were pleased with the Superior Court’s decision. “The court found what we always believed, that the evidence of Rowe’s guilt was overwhelming. Unfortunately, the court decision does little to relieve the anguish Rowe caused the Fisher family by taking the lives of Kristin and Kaylee.” On May 4, 2004, Kathleen Fisher returned to the Fisher residence to find Kristin on the garage floor with a noose on her neck, and Kaylee drowned in a bathtub. After a month-long investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police charged Rowe with two counts of first degree murder in June of 2004. The Superior Court pointed to several facts presented at the trial to reach their conclusion. First, Rowe’s vehicle was discovered on a desolate road behind the Fisher residence on the day of the deaths. Secondly, the court pointed to Erik Story’s testimony about Rowe’s appearance at a local hardware store and inquiring about the purchase of rope. Third, the court noted the fact that a child support hearing was previously scheduled for the day after the deaths. Fourth, the court relied heavily upon the testimony of Rachel Shavelson that she saw Rowe purchase rope and gloves at a local store. Only two days prior to the deaths, Rowe asked her to search the internet for instructions on how to fashion a noose. Finally, the court relied on the testimony of Nicholas Martini who said that after the deaths were discovered, Rowe asked him not to say anything about Shavelson’s internet search because it would make him look bad. Rowe is currently serving his sentence at the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution at Albion. Rowe can request the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear his case, but the Supreme Court is not required to take the case.