Bramhall said he did not mention Ranck.

Outside of court, Miele questioned the veracity of the confession.

"I find it troubling that in 2008, in a double homicide, there is no videotape or audiotape of the alleged confession," he said. "Most police departments do that in a double homicide. We don't even have the original notes."

The chief public defender in Lycoming County, Miele and his law partner, Edward J. "E.J." Rymsza, were appointed by the court to represent Harrell, who may face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.

Charles Scholl said he told District Attorney Anthony Rosini that he doesn't want the person who killed his daughter to be put to death.

"I was all for the death penalty before, but I think it's too easy," Scholl said, adding he expects Harrell will fight hard for his freedom.

"He's going to fight, but he's not going to walk away," the grieving father said confidently.

Moore's mother, Kim Potter, of Gaithersburg, Md., was unable to attend the hearing, but said she also favors a life sentence for the killer.

"Killing him won't bring my child or Crystal back," she said.

Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley testified that the two victims were each shot seven times.

Photographs of the murder scene at 226 N. Fourth St. were shown in court, including pictures of blood spatter and smears on the walls and numerous gun shell casings.

Moore was shot in the kitchen and died sprawled face-down on the kitchen floor.

A photograph of Scholl-Gordon, slumped against a door of a second-floor bedroom, clearly showed a bullet hole in the young woman's left hip. Another autopsy photo revealed a bullet wound to the face.

A taped phone call to Northumberland County's 911 center shortly after 1 a.m. on Jan. 18 from a breathless Baney-Banks alerted authorities to the homicide.

Calling from a neighbor's home, Baney-Banks repeatedly urged the operator to "hurry" and send help.