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$1.6M bond set for man accused of killing, abduction

Kimberly Bedinger talks about the recent ordeal that she went through. Jeff Bedinger, her husband, allegedly shot to death her son Brandon Haskins, 22-years-old, then kidnapped their 7-year-old son Zane Bedinger.

Staff photo by Ron Alvey Kimberly Bedinger talks about the recent ordeal that she went through. Jeff Bedinger, her husband, allegedly shot to death her son Brandon Haskins, 22-years-old, then kidnapped their 7-year-old son Zane Bedinger.

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Contributed photo Jeff Bedinger.

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Jeff Bedinger, via a video teleconference, makes an apperance in a Miami County courtroom Monday, July 12, 2010. Bedinger allegedly killed his stepson Brandon Haskins and then kidnapped his own 7-year-old son Zane Bedinger.

Staff photo by Ron Alvey Jeff Bedinger, via a video teleconference, makes an apperance in a Miami County courtroom Monday, July 12, 2010. Bedinger allegedly killed his stepson Brandon Haskins and then kidnapped his own 7-year-old son Zane Bedinger.

By Nancy Bowman and Doug Page
Contributing Writer and Staff Writer Updated 2:44 PM Tuesday, July 13, 2010

TROY — Just hours after her husband’s $1.6 million bond was set Monday in Miami County Municipal Court, Kimberly Bedinger faced reporters for the first time following one son’s shooting death and another’s abduction.

“Words cannot describe the horror and anguish of such an incomprehensible and unconscionable act,” she said in a halting voice about the killing of her son, Brandon. “Zane (her son with Bedinger) and I will struggle for a long time to come.”

Troy police said Monday, July 12, there was no immediate evidence indicating anyone aided Jeffrey Bedinger during his one day on the run from warrants for felony aggravated murder, kidnapping and abduction in the Thursday shooting of his 22-year-old stepson, Brandon Haskins, and the abduction of his 7-year-old son, Zane.

Jeffrey Bedinger’s apparent concern for the well-being of the family dog, Rocco, brought him back to the Miami Valley, which led to his arrest Friday .

Bedinger was apprehended in Sugarcreek Twp., Greene County, following a pursuit that ended with a crash on Wilmington Pike. No one was seriously injured in the wreck. He was later taken to Troy, questioned and booked into jail.

Troy Capt. Chris Anderson said the man had just dropped off the dog at a friend’s house when Montgomery County deputies spotted his car.

Kimberly Bedinger said law enforcement officials went above and beyond to “find Jeff,” singling out Troy Detective Todd Sloan, Anderson and all of the law enforcement agencies in Ohio, Indiana and the U.S. Marshals.

“It’s not often you get thanked personally,” Anderson said. “Every officer we’ve sworn in has said, 'I want to be a police officer because I want to help people.’ We couldn’t have done this without the help of all the agencies.”

The saga began Thursday afternoon following the shooting at a Troy apartment. His estranged wife, Kimberly, told police she and her husband had attended a counseling session and planned to go swimming when he pulled out a handgun, shooting and killing Haskins. Fleeing with Zane and Rocco, Jeffrey Bedinger was the target of a nationwide Amber Alert. The boy was left, unharmed, at the home of a relative in Indiana a couple of hours later.

During Monday’s brief court arraignment via video, Bedinger, dressed in orange jail clothing, politely answered questions from Judge Elizabeth Gutmann. Public Defender Steve King asked for bail “commensurate with the charges.”

Gutmann set bail of $1 million cash for aggravated murder, $500,000 for kidnapping and $100,000 for abduction. A preliminary hearing for Bedinger is scheduled for July 20.

Troy Detective Sloan recounted Kimberly Bedinger’s description of events in an affidavit filed for a search warrant for the apartment where the shooting occurred.

“She said … Jeff pulled a gun from a book bag and shot Brandon several times in the chest. She said that he then told her to write a will. She said that Jeff … (then) shot Brandon several more times.”

In her meeting with reporters later Monday, Kimberly Bedinger praised the work of law enforcement , saying they felt “protected from harm” and “surrounded by support.” Now it was time, she said, “to pick up the pieces.”

She kept tight control of her emotions, though her anguish appeared evident in her pauses and occasional trembling voice.

“Brandon touched many lives. We have been comforted by the outpouring of love and support,” she said.

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