PA - Mass shooting, five adults & unborn child dead, Wilkinsburg, March 2016

[0101ABA]

DA Won't Use Jail Informant in Cookout Ambush Shooting Trial

The district attorney won't use testimony from a jailhouse informant when two men are tried on charges they ambushed a Pennsylvania cookout (...)

The informant, Frederick Collins, was charged last month with screaming profanities at an Allegheny County judge presiding over his unrelated case on witness intimidation and other charges.

Collins and another informant have told prosecutors Cheron Shelton and Robert Thomas told them they were trying to kill a man during the March 2016 shootings in Wilkinsburg. The target was wounded but survived (...)

 

[0101ABA]

Judge issues gag order in case of suspects in Wilkinsburg massacre

An Allegheny County judge issued a gag order Wednesday in the case of two men authorities say planned and executed a mass shooting that killed five people and an unborn child in Wilkinsburg last year.

Common Pleas Judge David Cashman approved a request by assistant district attorney Lisa Pellegrini to limit comments to the media by attorneys involved in the case.

 

[0101ABA]

Judge to decide whether suspects in Wilkinsburg mass shooting will be tried separately

An Allegheny County judge said Thursday he expects to decide this month whether two men accused of fatally shooting five adults and an unborn child in Wilkinsburg will be tried separately or together.

Cheron Shelton and Robert Thomas remain jailed while they await trial on charges they orchestrated the March 9, 2016, mass shooting at a backyard gathering on Franklin Avenue.

 

[JerseyGirl]

The trial of Cheron Shelton, 32, of Lincoln-Lemington, and Robert Thomas, 31, of Homewood is expected to feature the testimony of several dozen witnesses and last at least three weeks in the guilt phase. If the men are found guilty of first-degree murder, the case will continue in the penalty phase as prosecutors seek capital punishment.

Shelton and Thomas are accused of killing siblings Jerry Michael Shelton, 35, Brittany Powell, 27, and Chanetta Powell, 25, who was eight months pregnant; and their cousins Tina Shelton, 37, and Shada Mahone, 26. Three others were wounded including a man who was paralyzed.

Trial scheduled to start in 2016 Wilkinsburg mass slaying

 

[JerseyGirl]

The judge issued a gag order in the case, meaning no one involved in the trial is allowed to speak publicly.

The actual trial isn’t scheduled to begin until February.

Trial set to start for two men accused in Allegheny Co. mass shooting

 

[JerseyGirl]

Jury selection continues for trial in Wilkinsburg barbecue ambush mass shooting case

 

[0101ABA]

Trial has opened for one man as charges were dismissed against his co-defendant in the slayings of five people and an unborn baby at a western Pennsylvania cookout almost four years ago.


Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward Borkowski on Monday granted a defense motion to dismiss the case against 31-year-old Robert Thomas

Cookout ambush trial opens for 1 as case dismissed against 1

 

[0101ABA]

It was a bombshell allegation on day 5 of Cheron Shelton's trial in the Wilkinsburg barbecue ambush and massacre case: the defense claims a former prosecution jailhouse witness has come forward, claiming law enforcement officers paid him and pressured him to fabricate claims against defendant Cheron Shelton. The prosecution says that claim itself is an "absolute fabrication."

Defense makes bombshell claim during day five of Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial

 

[passionflower]

WPXI.com
Jury asking more info about police officer that said he saw Shelton by the scene. Defense saying officer lied. Only circumstantial evidence news just said


Wednesday morning, the jury asked for more information on prior testimony from Wilkinsburg police detective Michael Adams, who testified he saw Shelton minutes after the shooting. He told the jury he stared at him for five to six seconds but never spoke to him; however, in a prior hearing, he said it was 60 seconds.

Adams is the only investigator who testified he saw Shelton near the scene in the immediate aftermath. During closing arguments, defense attorney Randall McKinney suggested Adams lied on the stand, an allegation ADA Kevin Chernosky denied.

 

[Kittybunny]

Defense makes bombshell claim during day five of Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial

After following the local news about this trial, I will not be one bit surprised if the jury acquits. There is very little concrete evidence against the suspect, circumstantial or otherwise - mostly just jailhouse snitch and police office eyewitness, as far as I can tell. I pray that I'm wrong, and there is other evidence that just hasn't come out, but the defense is doing a good job at trying the case in the media.

This was such a devastating crime. I hope there is justice for the victims and their families.

 

[CCJD]

After following the local news about this trial, I will not be one bit surprised if the jury acquits.

rsbm

You called it. I thought there would be a hung jury, retrial, etc.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The jury has reached a verdict in the Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial.
On day four of deliberations, the jury has found Cheron Shelton not guilty of murder.
Jury Finds Cheron Shelton Not Guilty In Wilkinsburg Mass Shooting Trial