Cecil Twp. Man Charged For Killing Home Intruder
WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A Washington County man has been ordered held without bail after he was arraigned on charges stemming from the fatal shooting of an unarmed intruder last month.
David Murray, 53, was charged Thursday with 77 drug offenses and criminal homicide in connection with the Nov. 25 shooting death of 52-year-old Nathaniel Gardner.
Police say Murray told authorities that he shot Gardner after he kicked in the door of his Cecil Township trailer and assaulted him.
While investigating the death, police uncovered a large marijuana growing operation at Murray's residence on Adams Street.
Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone says that because of the discovery of illegal activity on the premises, Murray cannot utilize the Castle Doctrine to justify use of deadly force.
"In this case, Castle Doctrine is specifically not available for people that are engaged in criminal activity, and the shooting is part of the criminal activity," said Vittone. "We had to review the evidence and bring the charges we thought were appropriate. This is certainly, in my mind, an appropriate charge."
It's unclear if Murray has an attorney who could comment.
He has a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 15 at 10 a.m.
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