KDKA 2 - Station Info KDKA News Radio 1020 - Station Info 93-7 The Fan - Station Info Pittsburgh-CW-Logo

Latest News

Jury Selection Begins For Accused Penn Hills Cop Killer

View Comments
(Photo Credit: KDKA)

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Harold Hayes

Reporting Harold Hayes

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Jury selection has begun in the death penalty trial of Ronald Robinson. He is accused in the shooting death of Penn Hills Police Officer Michael Crawshaw.

Out of a panel of 35 potential jurors, only seven indicated they had heard or read about the case.

Only two of the first 18 taken to the judge’s courtroom said they had moral problems with imposing the death penalty.

Judge Kevin Sasinoski and attorneys for both sides met with jurors individually Monday morning for further questioning.

Robinson was also present during the questioning.

By the end of day one, two jurors had been selected.

The first juror accepted to serve is a female homemaker who had no problem with the death penalty; but when asked, responded that not all first-degree murder convictions require an automatic death sentence.

The first juror rejected said she would require a “beyond all doubt” standard in a death penalty case rather than the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard prescribed by law.

Tuesday, officials said that a total four jurors had been selected, including two women and two men.

Robinson is accused of shooting and killing Officer Crawshaw in December of 2009. He has been in jail since his arrest.

Earlier this month, the jury selection process was delayed when Robinson was rushed to the hospital after being found unresponsive in his cell.

The prosecutor told the judge that doctors reported whatever happened to Robinson was a “medical mystery” and he was given seizure medication.

They also said he was under the influence of marijuana, which is a contraband problem at the jail.

Robinson appeared to be having a seizure and was intubated because he couldn’t breathe on his own.

In October, Robinson’s trial was delayed when a key witness for the prosecution disappeared. Once U.S. Marshals found the witness, the presiding judge ordered him held in custody until trial.

Testimony could begin early next week.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More News About This Case
More Reports From Harold Hayes

View Comments
  • http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/11/29/family-rejects-plea-deal-for-accused-cop-killer/ Family Rejects Plea Deal For Accused Cop Killer « CBS Pittsburgh

    [...] is expected early next week. RELATED LINKS Jury Selection Begins For Accused Penn Hills Cop Killer (11/26/2012) More Local News More Police News //// View Comments More Activity [...]

blog comments powered by Disqus
Listen Live!

TV Schedule

Full Program Grid
7:00 PM CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley
7:30 PM omg! Insider
8:00 PM The Big Bang Theory
8:31 PM Two and a Half Men
9:01 PM Person of Interest
10:01 PM Elementary
11:00 PM KDKA-TV News at 11
11:35 PM Late Show with David Letterman

Now On KDKA-TV:

follow us Now On KDKA TV: video on demand Now On KDKA TV: weatherbug small Now On KDKA TV: waitingchildsm Now On KDKA TV: ptls Now On KDKA TV: driving skills for l41d84c Now On KDKA TV:  Now On KDKA TV: heinzredzonerecipes3 Now On KDKA TV: hometownhighq Now On KDKA TV: 50261 pitts kdka local alleghenygeneralhospital extraeffort 140x85 2012 0817 Now On KDKA TV:

Select a Live Stream