The cousin of murder suspect Jason T. Smith, of Levittown, talked to NBC10's Deanna Durante, about the arrest of the cousin that he calls "a good person."
"I'm not going to say Jason is a monster, because he's not," said his cousin who only wanted to be identified as "George."
Philadelphia Police say Smith, a contracted exterminator, showed up at Melissa Ketunuti's Center City home on Monday because she was having a problem with rodents.
Investigators say Smith confessed to strangling the pediatrician, and setting her body on fire after they got into an argument over the contract. He claims he "just snapped," according to a police source.
"What he did was atrocious," the cousin added. "I just want people to know that he's a good person. He's a great father to his son. He's a loving person, he has compassion, he has remorse."
Smith has one son and lived with his long-time girlfriend in Levittown.
NBC10's Durante questioned the cousin about Smith's history, because police say his record only showed traffic offenses, including a 2004 D.U.I charge.
"He has mental issues and he has substance abuse issues," said the cousin.
Smith was arraigned Thursday night on murder, abuse of a corpse, arson and causing a catastrophe charges and sent to jail without bail.
Friends and colleaugues gathered Thursday night for a "March for Melissa" and candlelight vigil. The left candles in front of her home.
