Jaccii Farris | Reporter
Posted: 10:57 am EST November 12, 2010
Updated: 5:53 pm EST November 12, 2010
EASTON, Pa. -- A judge Friday ordered a man to stand trial for the shooting deaths of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend.
Barry Soldridge, Jr. stands accused of killing Candice Shuey and Derek Henry on Cottonwood Road in Lehigh Township, Northampton County on the night of September 22.
During the preliminary hearing Friday, witnesses testified Soldridge, 38, threatened to harm Shuey, 22, and Henry, 36, several times prior to that night.
Soldridge's best friend broke down in tears on the witness stand. Jason Kern testified Shuey dumped Soldridge for Henry, another childhood friend.
Kern told Judge Robert Hawke the three were constantly fighting about the 2009 breakup.
The night of the killings, Kern said the argument escalated outside his home in Lehigh Township. He quoted Soldridge as saying, "I'm going to get my gun and I am going to kill both of them."
A few moments later, Kern testified he heard gunshots. He said he ran outside and saw Henry's body in his vehicle. Kern and his girlfriend fled to safety.
Prosecutors said Shuey's body was found in a field, about 50 feet away from the vehicle.
Soldridge's boss, L.J. Frank, also testified. He said Soldridge called him the night of the shootings and asked him for a ride.
When he picked him up, Frank said Soldridge told him, "I did a bad thing."
When questioned, Frank testified Soldridge confessed, saying, "I shot them. I killed them."
A few hours later, police arrested Soldridge at Frank's home in Washington Township.
Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli called Soldridge's actions that night "premeditated." He is seeking the death penalty.
Soldridge is due back in court on December 2 for his formal arraignment.
In the meantime, he will remain behind bars in the Northampton County Prison without bail.
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