Judge won't dismiss evidence in Jessica Ann Pripstein murder case

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) - A judge has denied most of the motions to dismiss evidence filed by the attorney for an Easthampton man charged with killing his girlfriend.

Ryan Welch is charged with killing Jessica Ann Pripstein in February 2012. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that Welch's attorney argued that notes Welch wrote to medical staff while he was unable to speak were seized without proper warrants, and statements he made to police were obtained improperly.

Judge C. Jeffrey Kinder said in all but one instance, the evidence against Welch was admissible in court.

Kinder said Welch made no attempt to keep the notes private and willingly shared them with authorities as a means to communicate.

Welch's case is tentatively scheduled to go to trial April.