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Court records updated on Saturday, Jan. 18, show Zandstra was acquitted of all charges following a trial on Friday, Jan. 17. The charges included Criminal Homicide, First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, and Third-Degree Murder. Additional charges, including Possession of an Instrument of Crime, were dismissed or withdrawn.
David Zandstra, 83, originally from New Jersey and most recently of Marietta, Georgia, had been accused of abducting Gretchen while she was walking to Bible camp on Aug. 15, 1975. Her remains were discovered in Ridley Creek State Park two months later, and she had died of blunt force trauma to the head.
The Case Against Zandstra
Zandstra was arrested in July 2023 after new evidence emerged, including testimony from a childhood friend of his daughter who accused him of past sexual misconduct. During questioning, Zandstra allegedly admitted to offering Gretchen a ride, taking her to a wooded area, and assaulting her. He later recanted, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial.
Trial And Verdict
The trial revealed inconsistencies in the evidence, and the defense argued there was insufficient proof to convict Zandstra of the crime. On Jan. 17, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts after deliberating for an hour following a four-day trial, according to numerous news outlets.
Defense attorney Christopher Boggs, who served as co-counsel, released the following statement to 6ABC Action News on the acquittal:
"David Zandstra maintained his innocence for 48 years and as Mr. Much said in his closing, he maintained his innocence for most of his interview, and he maintains his innocence to this day. Our firm and Mr. Zandstra's family are very proud and grateful of Mr. Much's efforts and we are happy to have Mr. Zandstra returned to his family. Criminal trials in this country are amazing things and we thank the jury for their hard work this week. Our hearts along with all of Delaware County still break for the Harrington family who deserve an end to the nightmare of losing a family member."
Next Steps
Investigators have not announced plans to reopen the case but urge anyone with new information about Gretchen Harrington’s death to contact Pennsylvania State Police at 610-579-0429.
“Justice does not have an expiration date,” said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Jonathan Sunderlin in a previous statement.
While Zandstra has been acquitted, the question of who killed Gretchen Harrington remains unanswered.
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