Rostraver Home Invasion Suspects Ordered To Redo Preliminary Hearing
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Two of four suspects charged in a Rostraver home invasion had a lot to say outside of court today.
One is vowing to represent himself.
The three suspects were supposed to face charges they played a part in a brutal home invasion that left a 91-year-old woman with a broken neck.
But by the time it was over, the district justice said the whole thing had to be done all over again.
"The DA wasn't ready," said suspect Gregory Howard. "They ain't got no evidence against me."
"There a whole bunch of shenanigans going on," said another suspect Lemont Dixon.
Suspects Howard and Dixon had those things to day on why their preliminary hearing in West Newton didn't happen.
The two men, plus Brandon Danilchak and another woman all face charges they beat and robbed Francis Tekavek inside her Rostraver home.
All were picked up after police informants fingered the group after overhearing their conversations.
"The alleged witness is taking the statement back, they said he coerced him to get a statement," said Howard.
"I was not there, I don't know anything about nothing," said Dixon.
One of the big issues was Dixon's not filing paperwork for a public defender. Added to the mix was Greg Howard's insistence of self-representation.
"The magistrate's not a lawyer," said Howard. "I can represent myself. They weren't prepared to have a hearing."
The victim, Tekavec, is now recovering from fractures in her neck and is expected to recover.
Meanwhile, today's three suspects remain in the Westmoreland County Jail, charged with robbery, assault and receiving stolen property. Their bonds range from $250,000 to $1 million.
A new preliminary hearing is set for next Monday.
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