Man Wanted In East Hills Homicide Turns In Self
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EAST HILLS (KDKA) -- A man released from prison before police had the chance to officially file homicide charges against him has turned himself in to authorities.
Leonard Bernard Hilton, 24, is back in the Allegheny County Jail after surrendering Friday afternoon.
Pittsburgh Police said Thursday they obtained an arrest warrant for the 24-year-old in connection to a fatal shooting that happened last week.
"I can tell you that he is asserting that this is textbook self-defense. He did not go out looking to harm anyone. He was defending himself that evening," defense attorney Blaine Jones said.
Officers were sent to Park Hill Drive around 4 a.m. on May 25 for a report of a shooting. At the scene, they found 32-year-old Matthew Anthony Zinnermon suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Zinnermon had been shot several times in the back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
After that shooting, Hilton was taken into custody and locked up on unrelated theft charges.
But when detectives went to the jail Thursday to file the homicide charges, they discovered he had been released.
"I don't know what the reason is for the jail," defense attorney Blaine Jones told KDKA's Kym Gable. "But I can tell you, we're here to turn him in. He's not resisting as you can see. He's turning himself in. Yes, he did get released, but the moment he realized he was wanted, he contacted us."
The Department of Public Safety released a statement, saying, "Mr. Hilton was released before the warrant was signed and before it could be executed at the County Jail."
Hilton will be charged with criminal homicide and firearms violations.
