Trial Begins For Woman Accused Of Fatally Shooting Niece On Wedding Day
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Opening arguments began Tuesday morning in the trial of a bride who's accused of shooting and killing her niece last year on her wedding day in Beaver County.
Police say newlywed Christina George-Harvan, 30, and her niece, 21-year-old Katelyn Francis, were celebrating after the wedding when the two started arguing about who was going to drive home.
According to police, the incident happened on April 24, 2014, around 10 p.m. at Jimmy K's Bar on 11th Avenue in New Brighton.
Investigators say George-Harvan grabbed a gun and it went off. Francis was struck by the shot and died on the way to the hospital.
Defense attorneys say the shooting was an accident.
"Our position from the very beginning is that this was an accident and in her attempts to move the gun, as crazy as it sounds, to create a more safe atmosphere because the intoxication of the driver," said defense attorney Stephen Colafella.
But the assistant district attorney is asking the jury for a third-degree murder conviction, claiming there was malice.
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