Main Line Murder Suspect Denied Bail

The man accused of strangling a 36-year-old Main Line woman was held without bail at his first court appearance, court records show.

A Montgomery County judge denied bail for Jonathan Wesley Harris, 30, of Johnstown, who is accused of strangling 36-year-old former model Christina Kraft in her Ardmore apartment on Aug. 22.

Harris bail was denied at his Aug. 30 preliminary arraignment, court records show.

Harris is charged with first-, second-, and third-degree murder; robbery; theft by unlawful taking; receiving stolen property; and possession of an instrument of crime with intent to commit a crime, court records show.

He was arrested while getting off a bus in Pittsburgh Wednesday after authorities received tips from the public on Harris' identity and whereabouts.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office allege Harris – who was released from prison in July – met Kraft in Philadelphia during the early morning hours of Aug. 22. The DA said there was no apparent relationship between Harris and Kraft before that day.

The two then two a car to Kraft's apartment on Sibley Avenue in Ardmore.

That's where the DA's office said Kraft was beaten and strangled to death and allege Harris was the killer.

At about 3 a.m., the door to her apartment was seen on camera opening, but that door did not open until Lower Merion Township Police checked on the victim the night of Aug. 22, the DA's office.

Harris allegedly used a backdoor to flee the apartment, Steele said.

Harris texted a friend in the early morning hours of Aug. 22 saying he was with a woman in her home in Ardmore, according to Steele.

The DA said after issuing photos and videos of Harris, they received tips, including the above text message information, that led them to identify Harris as the suspect.

The DA said authorities are still searching for Andre Melton, 31, of Philadelphia, who is wanted in connection with an earlier break-in at her home. Court records show Melton is wanted for burglary, criminal trespassing, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property.

It's unclear at this time if Melton and Harris know one another.

Kraft was found strangled to death in a bedroom of a condo on the 100 block of Sibley Avenue the evening of Aug. 22 after Lower Merion Police were called to the condo for a welfare check, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

The DA's office said an autopsy revealed she was strangled to death via ligature.

Kraft's booking page online says she is a model who was in a Playboy shoot, had runway appearances, appeared in print ads, and more.

Harris is slated to appear for a his preliminary hearing on Sept. 10, according to court records.

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office