A Pennsylvania man who is currently on parole for a previous homicide has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son to death on July 8—months after being released from prison.
Keith Burley, 43, assaulted the child’s mother then drove away in her vehicle with her two children inside, a 7-year-old and an 8-year-old, before fatally stabbing the eldest child Mark Edward Mason, according to a police statement.
Burley, of Edinburg, was arrested in downtown Youngston, Ohio, after a 10-hour manhunt, reported KDKA.
Update pic.twitter.com/HPyLMDJOpJ
— Troop D PIO (@PSPTroopDPIO) July 9, 2019
During the domestic dispute, which took place in a car, Burley’s 36-year-old girlfriend pulled over at a fire department to get help, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WPXI. When she got out of the vehicle, Burley drove to their home with her two children inside, where he then killed the boy.
BREAKING UPDATE: Wanted man Keith Burley was arrested in 1999 for a homicide charge, then faced charges in 2002 for assault by prisoner. He was paroled earlier this year — and last night, @PAStatePolice say he stabbed a 7-year-old boy to death in Lawrence County. Please RT. pic.twitter.com/bgrjitEon9
— Rick Dayton (@rickdayton) July 9, 2019
Two other children, a 15-year-old and an 8-year-old, were at the home and witnessed the stabbing, the new outlet reported. They ran away to get help and Burley then fled.
The 7-year-old who was inside the vehicle was not harmed, police said.
#NEW: This is the area along S. Jefferson St in front of the fire station. Police say the mother of the 2 kids (who is suspect Keith Burley’s girlfriend) exited the car in this spot. Police say Burley then drove her 2 kids back to High Street & allegedly
killed the one. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/VFCPHU1XAP— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) July 9, 2019
The dispute was allegedly over cellphones, reported KDKA, citing authorities. “It got physical and it went from words to physical abuse,” Trp Jim Long told the CBS affiliate.
Burley faces numerous charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, kidnapping, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, and unlawful restraint.
#BREAKING: Charges were just filed against Keith Burley including several felony charges such as criminal homicide, aggravated assault, kidnapping, etc @KDKA pic.twitter.com/TdgCbDAwfo
— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) July 9, 2019
Criminal History
Burley served 20 years in person for murder before being released on parole in March, WPXI reported.
#NEW: I just learned that suspect Keith Burley’s 3rd degree murder sentence was for 19-38 years behind bars. The crime happened in 1999. I’m told he had a prior criminal history back then as well. The source said he was paroled in March. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/3QyYxsOijs
— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) July 9, 2019
While in prison, he was also charged with aggravated assault and assault by a prisoner, the news outlet reported.
#BREAKING: The key suspect in this Union Twp homicide- Keith Burley- faced #homicide charges back in 1999. He also faced “assault by prisoner” charges in 2002 according to court records @KDKA pic.twitter.com/m2kixcnW8i
— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) July 9, 2019
