This news story regarding the murder of teenager Brianna Denison comes courtesy of the Associated Press. The original article follows below, and has not been modified in any way.
Pipefitter Arrested For Murder Of Brianna Denison
RENO, Nev. (AP) - A Sparks pipefitter has been arrested in the slaying of a 19-year-old college student who authorities said was abducted while sleeping at a friend's house.
Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman said James Michael Biela, 27,
was arrested Tuesday night and booked into the Washoe County Jail
on suspicion of murdering Brianna Denison. He's also charged with
the kidnapping and sexual assault of another woman in Reno a month
earlier.
Biela was being held without bail. Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick said prosecutors have the option of seeking a
death sentence in the case.
Authorities say Biela provided a DNA sample that matched evidence found at the scene where Denison's body was found in February. She had been reported missing in January.
Biela has lived in the Reno area since 2002. Poehlman said Biela left the area in March as police efforts to find Denison's slayer intensified. He took a job in Washington state, but in September returned to Sparks.
Poehlman said Biela's girlfriend went to Washington in September to drive back to Nevada with him, found some underwear in his car and mentioned that discovery to a friend who in turn tipped police on Nov. 1. That was one of more than 2,200 tips received by authorities since Denison's slaying.
Authorities said Biela was put under surveillance following the tip, was questioned on Nov. 7, and was arrested on Tuesday as he headed to a child care center to pick up his son.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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