Man Accused Of Killing New Kensington Officer Goes Before Judge

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The man accused of killing a New Kensington police officer went before a judge Wednesday.

Rahmael Sal Holt, 29, is charged with shooting and killing Officer Brian Shaw last month.

Today, he appeared in court for a preliminary hearing, where he was held for trial on all charges.

During his preliminary hearing, Holt did not say a word, staring forward during the whole proceedings. Afterward, his attorney, Justin Ketchel, told KDKA, "My client didn't do this. They don't have any information at all whatsoever except from a convicted felon who admitted on the stand that he is a liar."

The man that police say was driving the SUV that Officer Shaw pulled over the night he was gunned down, had a lot to say once he took the stand.

Testifying as a prosecution witness, Tavon Harper, said under oath he sold Holt crack cocaine and pot. Harper said Holt was in the passenger seat of the SUV he was driving when Officer Shaw pulled him over.

According to Harper,"(Holt) pulled out a gun. I was like, what do you need a gun for? This is New Ken. It's not like that here."

Harper says Holt took off. He saw Officer Shaw chase him, but then Harper drove away. Harper admitted once arrested that he lied to police several times about who was in the SUV.

"I lied to police," said Harper. "Said it was someone named Reese. I'm alive. My family is out there. He's out there. I'm gonna lie."

"The defendant was in the vehicle operated by Tavon Harper and got out of the vehicle," said John Peck, Westmoreland County District Attorney. "And the video surveillance that's been testified to shows him. It's in a darkened area, but you can see that someone is firing a gun and someone sustained injuries as a result of it."

Harper right now is in the Westmoreland County Jail held on $100,000 straight cash bond on drug charges.

Holt is also in the Westmoreland County Jail being held without bond and is charged with homicide of a police officer.

Holt's parents were also scheduled to appear in court. Both of their hearings were continued.

Holt's father, Gregory Baucum, is charged with assaulting a woman who spoke to police about Holt during the manhunt.

Holt's mother, Sherry, and two others were also arrested for hindering apprehension.