VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A man who's accused of murdering two women who were visiting the Virginia Beach Oceanfront more than four decades ago denied a court-appointed lawyer in his arraignment hearing Thursday afternoon.
Ernest Broadnax, 80, faces murder and rape charges. Police said he killed Janice Pietropola and Lynn Seethaler in 1973. The women were visiting the area from Pennsylvania. Someone found their bodies in the cottage where they were staying.
Broadnax told the judge he "just wants to get this over with." He also said something about his family. Unless he changes his mind, Broadnax will represent himself at his next hearing on June 14.
Earlier this month, police in New York arrested Broadnax who'd been living in Queens.
Cold case investigators in Virginia Beach said they started looking into a strong lead they received in 2018. They worked with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. The lead pointed them in the direction of Broadnax. Police Chief Jim Cervera said new technology helped investigators connect the cold case to Broadnax.