ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. – A Vermont man charged along with his wife in the killing of a popular St. Johnsbury teacher is asking a judge to exclude a detailed confession he gave to police from his upcoming trial because he didn’t understand what he was doing when he waived his right to silence.

The attorney for Allen Prue made the arguments in papers asking a judge to suppress all statements Prue made to police in March 2012 in the days after Melissa Jenkins was abducted and killed.

Defense Attorney Robert Katims argued that Prue was deceived into waiving his right to silence.

“A reasonable person would not conclude that further questioning was to take place, let alone hours of interrogation,” said the motion.

Allen Prue, 32, and Patricia Prue, 35, face kidnapping and first-degree murder charges in Jenkins’ death.

Allen Prue gave the lengthy confession at a Connecticut River boat launch near where Jenkins’ body was found, the Caledonian Record reported.

“Melissa, if you can hear me, I’m terribly sorry,” part of the confession said. “You didn’t deserve that. You’re a nice person. You deserved to live a long life, watch your baby grow up. I’m just terribly sorry I did this to you, Melissa. I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”


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