Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The man who shot and killed his ex-wife inside a Coudersport church has pleaded guilty to first degree murder and will spend the rest of his life in behind bars. The death penalty was taken off the table when 52-year-old Greg Eldred pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-wife, 53-year-old Darlene Sitler while she was playing the organ in the First United Presbyterian Church in December. Eldred will officially be sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The man accused of shooting and killing his ex-wife while she was playing the organ in church back in December has waived his preliminary hearing. 53-year-old Gregory Eldred is charged with murder for fatally shooting 53-year-old Darlene Sitler at the First United Presbyterian Church in Coudersport. He remains in Potter County Jail without bail. The hearing had been postponed twice so a mental health evaluation could be done on Eldred. The case now goes to the Court of Common Pleas. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A reminder that a memorial service will be held at 10:30 this morning at Northern Potter High School for Darlene Sitler. You can watch it on the Internet on one of the school district’s Ustream sites. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/northern-potter-cs-news or http://www.ustream.tv/channel/northern-potter-high-school-news Sitler was shot and killed during a church service on December 2. Her ex-husband is facing murder charges for the shooting. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Northern Potter School District and the First United Presbyterian Church in Coudersport will be holding a memorial service on Saturday to celebrate the life of Darlene Sitler. The service will be at 10:30 a.m. in the Northern Potter High School Auditorium in Ulysses, and will be broadcast over the Internet on the district’s Ustream channels. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/northern-potter-cs-news http://www.ustream.tv/channel/northern-potter-high-school-news Sitler’s ex-husband Gregory Eldred is jailed without bail on murder charges for shooting Sitler as she played the organ during a church service on December 2. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 15. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The FBI has been investigating the man charged with shooting and killing his ex-wife during a church service Sunday morning in Coudersport. Frank Burton confirms the agency has been investigating Gregory Eldred. Burton would not disclose the nature of the investigation, but unofficial sources say the FBI removed Eldred’s computer from Coudersport Elementary School, where he taught for many years. Eldred is charged with murder for shooting 53-year-old Darlene Sitler as she played the organ Sunday morning in the First United Presbyterian Church. Eldred’s preliminary hearing originally scheduled for tomorrow in front of District Judge Annette Easton has moved to January 15, four days after he turns 53. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Northern Potter schools will be closed Thursday so staff members and students who want to attend the funeral for Darlene Sitler can do that. Sitler was shot and killed Sunday morning while she played the organ at the First United Presbyterian Church in Coudersport. Her ex-husband, Gregory Eldred, is jailed on murder charges for the shooting. Sitler was a teacher in the Northern Potter School District for many years. The funeral is in Benton, PA, in Columbia County, about 2 ½ hours from the school district. School Superintendent Scott Graham says he realizes that, because of the distance, some people may not be able to travel to the viewing or funeral, so he intends to work with Sitler’s pastor to plan a Memorial Service for the school community. Graham said he will release additional information about that service as soon as possible. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Students Showing 'Maturity Beyond Their Years' Counselors from two other school districts were at the Northern Potter School District today to provide support and comfort to students and staff following the shooting death of music teacher Darlene Sitler on Sunday. School superintendent Scott Graham sent a letter home with students today saying counselors from the Northern Tioga and Galeton school districts, as well as members of the crisis team and Pastor Jason Reed were on hand at the school. Graham’s letter said, “Given the extreme circumstances, the students handled this difficult situation with maturity beyond their years.” Graham said the district plans to have members of the Crisis Team on hand again Tuesday. “The next several days will be difficult,” Graham wrote, “but together we will get through this.” Sitler's ex-husand, 52-year-old Gregory Eldred, has been charged with first-degree murder. He's being held in Potter County Jail without bail. He is accus...

The man charged with murder for shooting and killing his ex-wife as she played the organ during a service at the First United Presbyterian Church Sunday morning is also accused of threatening the church pastor and parishoners. According to the affidavit of probable cause, 52-year-old Gregory Eldred left the church after shooting 53-year-old Darlene Sitler, then went back in through another door. Dr. Beverly Prince heard him say he wanted to see (Sitler) and she begged him not to go toward her. He said if she didn’t let him pass he would have to shoot her, too. Prince’s husband Leslie Rolfe also tried to stop Eldred from going back to the front of the church, and Eldred threatened to shoot him, according to the affidavit. Pastor Evon Lloyd was next to Sitler when Eldred came back into the church. She tried to keep him away, when he threatened to shoot her. At the scene, police found a .40 caliber handgun, four 40 caliber spent casings and three discharged rounds. One round was found...

A Coudersport man is charged with first-degree murder for shooting his ex-wife while she played piano during services at the First United Presbyterian Church in Coudersport Sunday morning. 52-year-old Gregory Eldred is accused of going into a side door of the church and shooting 53-year-old Darlene Sitler multiple times. Members of the congregation detained Eldred until police arrived and took him into custody. Potter County Coroner Kevin Dusenbury pronounced Sitler dead at the scene. Besides first-degree murder, Eldred is also charged with third-degree murder, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats. He is in jail without bail. First-degree murder is a non-bailable offense in Pennsylvania. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Thursday in front of District Judge Annette Easton. Sitler was a music teacher in the Northern Potter School District. Eldred is a music teacher in the Coudersport School District.