BURLINGTON — A New Jersey man accused of the kidnapping and killing of a romantic rival — allegedly abducted last year from a Covington hotel — will stand trial first in his home state.

        Gregory Marcinski, 24, was charged in a one-count indictment out of a New Jersey federal court with the kidnapping and resulting death of Paul Gale, a native of England.

Marcinski

        “We are going to allow the federal authorities to prosecute him first because the majority of evidence is in New Jersey, and they did most of the legwork,” said Boone County Commonwealth Attorney Linda Tally Smith. “This is the most efficient way to try the case.”

        She said Mr. Marcinski will be returned to Boone County after the federal case is completed. Ms. Smith predicts Mr. Marcinski will not stand trial in Kentucky for another eight months to a year.

        Mr. Marcinski, who is in custody in Boone County jail on state charges of kidnapping resulting in death, a capital offense, will be taken to the Trenton, N.J., federal courthouse for an initial appearance on the federal indictment. A date for his appearance in federal court has not been set.

        Mr. Marcinski faces a maximum federal penalty of life in prison or the death penalty. U.S. Attorney Robert J. Cleary said in a press release that he has not determined whether to seek the death penalty.

        One week ago, Preston C. Foray Jr., 22, and Robert Norcia, 30, waived indictment and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Garrett E. Brown Jr. to their roles in attempting to cover up Mr. Marcinski's crime. Both have signed cooperating plea agreements with the government.

        Mr. Foray pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring with another to hide and destroy evidence that linked Mr. Marcinski to the crime. Mr. Foray faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

        Mr. Norcia pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to report a felony. Mr. Norcia faces a maximum of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

        The indictment states that April 17, Mr. Marcinski — whose ex-girlfriend was dating Mr. Gale, police said — kidnapped Mr. Gale from the Clarion Hotel Riverview in Covington and drove him to Brick Township, N.J.

        Mr. Marcinski impersonated an FBI agent in his abduction of Mr. Gale, according to court records.

        Mr. Foray admitted that he helped Mr. Marcinski burn and bury the body of Mr. Gale, according to court papers, and said the handcuffs used to restrain Mr. Gale were thrown off a New Jersey bridge.

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