A convicted serial killer's date with death is on hold. A federal judge in Harrisburg has stayed the execution of Joseph Miller. The former Steelton man was scheduled to die by lethal injection at the Rockview State Prison in Centre County. The judge said she was required to issue the stay because there wasn't enough time to review Miller's 200-page appeal before his scheduled May 4th execution. Richard Hockenberry is charged with the 1997 shooting death of David Rutherford, also of Altoona.
Police say the two travelled to Camden, New Jersey after being linked to a shooting in Altoona.
They say Hockenberry then killed Rutherford, and confessed to the crime after his arrest. A jury was seated for the trial Tuesday. Testimony began Wednesday. The search continues for a Bedford County woman as police look for clues in her kidnapping. Police say witnesses saw the mother of two forcibly removed from her home and into a light-colored vehicle.