Ralph Atkinson allegedly killed his girlfriend with a hammer and a knife.
An alleged killer could serve 28 years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea, under an offer proposed by prosecutors.
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Ralph A. Atkinson, of Knowlton Township, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Margaret Graf-White, on May 14, 2014, at the woman's West Stewart Street home in Washington. (Courtesy photo)Ralph A. Atkinson, 40, of Knowlton Township, allegedly used a knife and hammer to kill his girlfriend, 45-year-old Margaret Graf-White, on May 14, 2014, at the woman's West Stewart Street home in Washington. Atkinson was arrested the following day and indicted this year.
Atkinson, who is still in custody, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts each of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. A conviction on the murder charge would mean up to life imprisonment.
His appearance was waived for a brief hearing Friday in state Superior Court in Belvidere, in which Warren County Assistant Prosecutor Victor Jusino said an offer had been made.
Public defender John McGuigan declined to comment after the hearing.
Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke has called the case one of the most heinous he has seen.
Police have said Atkinson was known to them from previous domestic violence reports involving Graf-White. A friend of Graf-White's has said she had been trying to distance herself from a physically and emotionally abusive relationship with Atkinson. Graf-White's two girls were taken into state protection.
In a separate case, Atkinson is also charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and related counts. He allegedly filmed and photographed sex acts with the child -- who was younger than 13 -- and was in possession of child pornography.
The 28-year plea offer at this point only includes the homicide case, Jusino said. It may be amended to include sentencing for both cases after the sex assault charges are heard by a grand jury.
Another status hearing on the homicide charge is scheduled for Jan. 29.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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