Woman Allegedly Raped, Slain by Day Laborer

March 29, 2006— -- NEW CITY, N.Y. (AP) -- The woman who discovered the scene of her sister's murder -- allegedly carried out by a laborer at the house to clean the deck -- took the stand today.

Anne Fallon, of New City, said her sister's last words during a morning cell phone chat were, "I have to go. The power-washer needs me." She also testified that she saw the suspect outside the house, with blood on his face.

Fallon spoke at the murder trial of Douglas Herrera Castellanos, who is accused of raping and killing Mary Nagle last April 29th. Herrera, here illegally from Guatemala, faces life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder.

Fallon said her last conversation with her sister came early that morning on the phone when Nagle agreed to take Fallon's place in a tennis match. Fallon later got a call telling her Nagle hadn't shown up and she repeatedly called her sister but got no answer and finally drove to her house in New City.

Fallon started up the stairs but stopped as soon as saw a lamp on the floor of the master bedroom and blood. She called police, who found her slain sister.

In later testimony, a phone company employee said Nagle's cell phone was used more than 50 times after Fallon spoke to her. Prosecutors say Herrera stole Nagle's phone and called several of her friends and relatives to describe the killing.

Griffin also said several calls were made to Guatemala.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)