MICHAEL GEORGE ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH MURDER

[MattBrady]

According to The Johnstown Tribune Democrat Comics World owner, and organizer of the Pittsburgh Comic-Con Michael George has been arrested, charged with the “execution-style” murder of his wife 17 years ago in Michigan.

As the paper reports, in July of 1990, Barbara Marie George was found dead from a single shot to the head from a .38-caliber gun in the couple’s comic shop in Clinton Township, MI, also called Comics World. $30,000 of comics were taken, according to reports. According to the report, Barbara George was killed after closing the store to prepare a surprise birthday party for Michael.

Somerset County District Attorney Jerry Spangler said he could not say what led Michigan investigators to Michael George, 17 years later. George will most likely be extradited to Michigan this week to stand trial for homicide and possession of a firearm to commit a felony.

Shortly after his wife’s murder in Michigan, George relocated to Pennsylvania where, together with his wife, Renee’, founded the Pittsburgh Comicon, which celebrated its 14th anniversary this April.

[TCJohnson]

...holy crap.

[mikey_danger]

... wow. I love the Pittsburgh Con, and Renee and Michael have always been the most accommodating hosts I have ever met. This is quite the shock.

[SportyFork]

Man, he shot her after she was preparing a surprise birthday party for him??

[khuxford]

Originally Posted by SportyFork

Man, he shot her after she was preparing a surprise birthday party for him??

Allegedly.

[alazar]

Well, they were. Anyway.

[Jamal Y. Igle]

Wow.....
My prayers are with the Georges, hopefully this turns out to be a mistake.

[BornToRun]

Awful, awful news. Since he always seemed like such a nice guy, I'm going to try and presume innocence, although reopening a cold case like this to arrest the husband screams "new evidence" to me and doesn't sound promising. My prayers are with the Georges as well as the victim's family

[AlexLothos]

I think I've re-read this about 3 times back-to-back and the initial shock STILL hasn't worn off.

[newfoundma]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Shortly after his wife’s murder in Michigan, George relocated to Pennsylvania where, together with his wife, Renee’, founded the Pittsburgh Comicon, which celebrated its 14th anniversary this April.

Wow, that sentence confused me at first.

[djcoffman]

I'm shocked here. I've known Renee and Michael for years. I really hope he's cleared of these charges.

My thoughts are with their family today--- man oh days!

[Maus]

Wow, if it were true, shooting your wife while she's planning a surprise birthday party for you is...well...it's something, I can tell you.

[HeX111]

holy crap!!!

I have no idea what to say to this... I hope justice is found, one way or the other...

and I hope this doesn't seem ill-timed, but I hope this doesn't mean that there's no more Pittsburgh Comic-Con...

[johnchrist]

Wow! You know, the comics community is probably the last community of people on earth you would expect this kind of thing to occur in.

[Ricber]

OMG. This is awful. I'm speechless. Pittsburgh Comic Con is one of my favorite convention and Renne and Michael always treated me very well. Terrible news.

[Speedball93]

What kind of evidence could you possibly find 17 years later? Maybe someone who knew what happened finally came forward? This is just awful if it is true.

[Clem]

This whole situation just seems odd.

I mean 17 years after the fact? Did the Police lose a report along the way and forget?

[jedifish]

Interesting. I visited that store a few times when I first moved out to Clinton Twp. I wondered where it had gone.

[Bob Almond]

I share everyone's shock. This traumatic event couldn't have happened to a nicer, kinder couple and family than the George's. They run an exceptional family show. I wish them all the support and strength in the world and pray that this is all a mistake.

Bob AlmondThe Bob Almond Inkwell

[TCJohnson]

Originally Posted by Speedball93

What kind of evidence could you possibly find 17 years later? Maybe someone who knew what happened finally came forward? This is just awful if it is true.

They could have found the gun used in the murder, and somehow connected it to Michael George. That seems most likely considering the gun is mentioned in the charge.

Still, innocent until proven guilty, and let's hope that it is proven to be a mistake. Never met them but heard a lot of good things about Michael George.

[Devster]

Originally Posted by Speedball93

What kind of evidence could you possibly find 17 years later? Maybe someone who knew what happened finally came forward? This is just awful if it is true.

Maybe some of the $30,000 worth of missing comics were located?

[waterdragon]

17 years after the fact? Since he is still considered innocent (although I know better since once you are in the jail cell you are guilty and treated worse than animals at a shelter), I hope if he is innocent he can sue for this WTFness.

[dcorsetto]

I'm absolutely shocked - I agree, these two run a GREAT show and have always seemed like exceptional people. I hope this was all a mistake!

[MurrayC]

1. Was Michael EVER a suspect during the original investigation 17 years ago? (Nine times out of ten, the husband is usually the first/only suspect)

2. Did he know his current wife BEFORE or AFTER Renee's death? (I thinks it's obvious why I am asking)

3. What kind of statute of limitations are there in that particular state? (I am wondering if Michael was ALWAYS a suspect, but investigators only now found [circumstantial] evidence so they could charge him)

[RDuarte]

Originally Posted by MurrayC

3. What kind of statute of limitations are there in that particular state? (I am wondering if Michael was ALWAYS a suspect, but investigators only now found [circumstantial] evidence so they could charge him)

There is no statute of limitations on murder.