A man accused of killing a Somerset County teen last fall appeared in court for his preliminary hearing this afternoon and has been bound over for trial.

Jonathon Beal is accused of killing Justine Jackson, whose body was found buried along a hiking trail in Meyersdale.

Beal's preliminary hearing has been postponed at least four times, but on Friday, a judge finally heard testimony from close to a dozen people about the circumstances surrounding Jackson's death.

The preliminary hearing gave both the defense and prosecution a chance to plead their cases as to why they believe Beal didn't or did kill Jackson.

Jackson was reported missing on Sept. 14 and police said Beal, her boyfriend, was the last person to see her until a hiker discovered her body two months later, on Nov. 11. Police said Jackson had been strangled before she was buried in a shallow grave along the Great Allegheny Passage.

According to court documents and some of Beal's friends who spoke with 6 News, Beal told them he killed Jackson and buried her along the bike trail. Police said they heard several rumors that disrupted their investigation.

After Jackson's body was discovered, the search was on for Beal. Investigators received several tips and within 24 hours, a team of U.S. marshals stormed an apartment in Louisiana and found Beal hiding in a bathroom.

Beal was brought back to Pennsylvania, where he was charged with homicide and abuse of a corpse. With the exception of a brief appearance in court for his arraignment, he has been in jail since.

Stay with 6 News, WJACTV.com and WJACTV.com Mobile for continuing coverage of Friday afternoon's hearing.

PREVIOUS 6 NEWS COVERAGE:

Jan. 31, 2013: Preliminary hearing delayed for man accused of killing Meyersdale teen

Dec. 4, 2012: Police: Meyersdale duo collecting donations for murdered teen a scam

Nov. 29, 2012: Hearing continued for man accused of killing Meyersdale teen

Nov. 18, 2012: Accused murderer extradited from Louisiana, jailed in Somerset County

Nov. 17, 2012: Community Holds Vigil for Murder Victim

Nov. 16, 2012: Police: Man waives extradition from La. in Somerset Co. teen's death

Nov. 14, 2012: Investigators: man accused of killing Meyersdale teenager has a violent past

Nov. 14, 2012: Man accused of killing Meyersdale teenager founding hiding in Louisiana bathroom

Nov. 14, 2012: Man accused of killing Meyersdale teen captured in Louisiana

Nov. 13, 2012: Police search for man accused of killing Meyersdale girl

Nov. 13, 2012: Human remains identified as missing Meyersdale girl; Police charge boyfriend

Nov. 13, 2012: Remains found in Somerset Co. are those of missing teen; Boyfriend accused of strangling her remains at large

Nov. 13, 2012: Police to search home of missing woman’s boyfriend; Remains found on Somerset Co. trail still unidentified

Nov. 12, 2012: Friends fear human remains are that of missing Meyersdale girl