Published: April 27, 2007 11:52 am      

Grand jury to determine fate of Preston teacher accused of killing mother, young son

KINGWOOD - A grand jury will decide the fate of Pleasantdale resident James DeGasperin, 35, after a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Preston County Circuit Court.

DeGasperin is the teacher who police say beat his live-in girlfriend, Lori Casteel, and her son, Collin, 4, to death with a baseball bat April 15.

The Dominion Post of Morgantown reported that autopsies revealed that Collin also was shot in the chest, and his mother was six months pregnant.

Prosecuting Attorney Mel Snyder told the newspaper DeGasperin wouldn't be charged with a third count of murder until the grand jury meets.

The next grand jury convenes in June.

Extra school counselors have been in attendance at the Bruceton School where DeGasperin taught to help students and fellow teachers deal with the tragedy.