A man accused of leaving his girlfriend’s body in a motel room after she died of drug overdose will stay in jail.
Judge Christopher Ciaccio ruled last week that Scott Pernesky could be released on home confinement with an ankle bracelet. But after criticism from Gates town officials over the weekend, he reversed his decision on Monday. Prosecutors presented evidence showing Pernesky’s history of previous escapes from justice, convincing the judge to change his mind.
Pernesky was arrested in April after the death of Jennifer Baker. Police say Baker died of a heroin overdose at the Motel Six on Buell Road. Instead of calling 911, Pernesky is accused of hiding the drugs and fleeing, leaving her body to be found by the cleaning crew.
In a Tweet, Gates Supervisor Mark Assini thanks the judge for reversing his decision and keeping Pernesky behind bars.