Suspect Accused Of Slaying Wilkinsburg Couple To Stand Trial

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A local man will stand trial on charges he killed his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend in Wilkinsburg.

Joshua Wright, 23, is accused of fatally shooting 24-year-old Da'Shawna Gibson and 23-year-old Michael Black in their second-floor apartment last month.

"Michael Black was her new boyfriend," Assistant DA Mark Tranquilli said. "He was a part of her new life. They were trying to create a good home element for this child and Joshua Wright, according to the testimony, just could not wrap his head around that with tragic consequences."

A cousin who was there during the shootings is the prosecution's key witness. She testified she was asleep on the living room floor when Wright allegedly broke into the apartment and shot the couple.

"She says this happened at 5 a.m. and she does not notify the police until two o'clock in the afternoon," defense attorney James Wymard said.

He wonders why she took so long to report the crime.

"Why would she conceal the fact that there were two people – her two cousins – were shot up in bed, that she saw up there nine hours before?" Wymard said. "Why would she conceal that and what went on between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.?"

"I think anybody in those shoes might be literally paralyzed by fear and it might take them a little bit of time to process it and think to themselves, 'You know what? I know I'm in danger from this guy if I identify him, but I have to do the right thing for my two cousins,'" Tranquilli countered.

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