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Judge Approves Electronic Monitoring For Suspect In Upper St. Clair Shooting

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A woman accused in the shooting death of her cousin in Upper Saint Clair earlier this month is being released from jail after a show of family support.

A judge approved electronic monitoring during a hearing Thursday, after Stephanie Munizza's charges were reduced.

"We removed all of the charges that involve anything other than reckless behavior," said defense attorney David Shrager. "Anything that said she did this intentionally was removed from the table."

According to police, 27-year-old Joshua Poremski showed Munizza his semi-automatic weapon at a family function.

The gun discharged killing him.

Witnesses have described what happened as an accident, but acknowledged that alcohol was involved.

"She is inconsolable. She is wracked by grief and guilt," said Shrager.

Munizza's bond will require that she remain in this area, staying with the victim's parents. She will not be allowed to return to her home in Missouri.

She can only leave home to get counseling.

"She'll have to be a home, unless she's getting mental health treatment or if she does get a job," Shrager said.

She had been working at a restaurant in Missouri.

The legal questions that arise from mistaking a semi-automatic weapon for an unloaded gun maybe what a jury or judge will have to decide when as this case moves forward.

"The judge was indicating often times, in the case of a semi-automatic pistol, a person may think that the gun is unloaded, but there is actually one in the chamber," Shrager said. "It's a common mistake and people should have appropriate firearms training."

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