Fawley indicted for Behl murder

The amateur photographer linked to the death of 17-year-old VCU student Taylor Behl was indicted on a charge for first-degree murder Tuesday in Mathews County.

Benjamin Fawley, 38, has been held at Richmond City Jail since September for unrelated child-pornography charges. The indictment accuses Fawley of killing Behl in a premeditated act. Fawley claims the death occurred accidentally after cutting off Behl’s air supply during a sexual encounter.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Fawley would be arraigned next Wednesday. Fawley could be tried within the next five months.

Behl was originally reported missing in September of 2005. Her remains were found Oct. 5 on a farm near property owned by the family of an ex-girlfriend of Fawley’s. The cause of death is still pending.

Compiled from wire reports.