Florida Woman Charged in Death of NJ Man

A Florida woman has been arraigned on murder and kidnapping charges in the death of a New Jersey man whose decomposed body was found in the woods in New York's Westchester County.

Jessica Ryan French, of Lehigh Acres, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Thursday. Information on her lawyer was not immediately available.

The 24-year-old has been in custody since Feb. 27, when she was picked up in Florida on a fugitive warrant.

The body of 65-year-old Epifanio Medina, of Passaic, was discovered on June 12 by a horseback rider in North Salem. Police at first did not suspect foul play because there were no obvious signs of trauma.

State Police have also identified two other suspects. Both men are currently being held in New Hampshire and are awaiting extradition.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)