Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone announced Thursday that a 24-year-old Claysville man entered a guilty plea to a charge of first degree
murder in the slaying of Opal Bedillion, an 80-year old widow.

Frank Russell Jones was sentenced by Washington County Judge Katherine Emery to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“This case was particularly important to me as this crime occurred shortly after I was sworn in as district attorney,” Vittone said. “Frank Jones was brought to justice today due to the hard work and dedication of the South Strabane
Township police officers, the Pennsylvania State Police, First Assistant District Attorney Michael Lucas and Deputy District Attorney Chad Schneider."

Bedillion, who lived alone in a secluded area of East Finley Township, was murdered in her home on Jan. 7, 2012.

During a traffic stop in South Strabane Township that same night, Jones was found to be in possession of many of Bedillion’s belongings. After being
questioned by Pennsylvania State Police about those belongings, Jones told them that he killed the woman in order to get money for drugs.

The Commonwealth originally sought the death penalty against Jones.

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