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Boyfriend's story discounted in fatal beating
By MIKE BRASSFIELD ST. PETERSBURG -- Brandon Hitteman called 911 early Tuesday and said his girlfriend had hurt herself. When the police showed up at the couple's bloodstained apartment, Hitteman told them his girlfriend had fallen down -- twice. Hitteman's girlfriend, Pamela Berkebile, was dead in the living room with severe bruises on her face and body. The police didn't believe Hitteman's story. According to homicide detectives, Hitteman eventually told them he beat his girlfriend during an argument, then strangled her with a piece of rope. Hitteman, 25, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Berkebile, 34. He was held without bail Tuesday in the Pinellas County Jail. Police think Berkebile was killed shortly before Hitteman called 911 about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Investigators found bloodstains throughout the apartment the couple shared at 700 First St. N, No. 13. "I don't think they had been together long," said police Sgt. Mike Puetz, head of St. Petersburg's homicide squad. Hitteman was the subject of two arrest warrants from last year for failing to appear in court on marijuana possession charges. He was arrested last year on a charge of aggravated domestic battery, but that charge was later dropped. -- Staff writer Candace Rondeaux contributed to this report.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Letters |
