Trial Set For Steven Molin- Son Accused In Mother's Death

SNOW HILL -- A man charged with murdering his mother by hitting her with a van on a rural Worcester road has pleaded not guilty, and is set to have a jury trial on Jan. 4.

Steven Molin, a 58-year-old man from Darby, Pa., was charged after allegedly running over his 85-year-old mother, Emily Belle Molin, with a large work van on Carey Road on Aug. 31.

Police were alerted to the crime when Molin called 911 around midnight to report a serious motor vehicle accident, according to officers from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.

Molin later told police he and his mother were riding in his vehicle, which he was driving, when his mother fell out. He told police once he realized she had fallen, he stopped and drove in reverse.

Accident reconstruction specialists looking at the scene were able to tell the elderly woman had been driven over two to three times, police said.

Based on his interview with police and the forensic evidence from the scene, Molin was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter. He is being held without bond in Worcester County Jail.

Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd said he is not seeking the death penalty for Molin if he is convicted. Under Maryland law, to press for a sentence of death there must be "aggravating circumstances," such as a robbery or rape, which are not present in this case, Todd said.

Burton Anderson, assistant public defender for Worcester County, is representing Molin. "Because the case is pending before the court, it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment," Anderson said.

Court records show the Public Defender's Office has filed several motions to prepare Molin's defense, including one seeking a transcript of the 911 call made by Molin, as well as copies of all police photographs taken at the scene.

The Public Defender's Office has also filed routine motions to receive pre-trial documents and evidence, including the name and address of each person the state intends to call as a witness, and the criminal history of anyone the state intends to call as a witness or who has been viewed as a suspect.

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