Ashland County Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

Preliminary autopsy reports show the two women found dead in an Ashland home earlier this month were strangled. Stacy Stanley's body was found under a pile of garbage in the home. Elizabeth Griffin was tied up inside a closet. They are the first two confirmed victims of 40-year-old Shawn Grate, who pleaded not guilty Thursday to 23 criminal counts. Grate is also accused of kidnapping a third woman who notified authorities about the bodies. He is also a suspect in other murders in Marion and Richland Counties.