News – CBS Pittsburgh

Protesters Gather After Michael Rosfeld Acquitted In Antwon Rose’s Shooting Death

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 19:07:59 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Protesters marched through Pittsburgh-area streets Saturday to protest the acquittal of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld in the shooting death of Antwon Rose.

The crowd began to gather at Freedom Corner in the Hill District around 2 p.m.

Watch —

After the gathering at Freedom Corner, another large crowd gathered outside PPG Paints Arena, where the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are taking place.

The protesters briefly blocked the intersection of Fifth Avenue, Washington Place and Chatham Square.

Watch live —

The crowd then made their way to the Allegheny County Courthouse.

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After four days of testimony and about three and a half hours of deliberations by an out-of-town jury, Rosfeld was found not guilty on all four possible charges — first-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter — around 9:15 p.m. Friday. The jury of six men and six women was selected across the state in Harrisburg and was sequestered in a Pittsburgh hotel for the duration of the trial.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Protests began Friday night after the verdict was announced. A large crowd gathered outside the Allegheny County Courthouse and marched through East Liberty for a few hours.

The District Attorney’s office put out the following statement Saturday afternoon: “As was stated last night, our office disagreed with the verdict and we understand the frustration of everyone who was hoping for and expecting a different outcome. However, the community needs to realize that when such frustration becomes hateful and violent, there will be ramifications for those involved in that behavior.”

In their statement Friday night, Zappala said in part, “While I respectfully disagree with their verdict, it is the people of this commonwealth who decide guilty or not guilty and they have spoken to this matter.”

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Audubon Society Confirms First Eaglet Of Year At Hays Nest

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 17:34:38 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Hays Pittsburgh bald eagles welcomed the first eaglet of 2019 on Saturday.

A “pip” or small crack was seen in the egg just before 9 a.m. and the eaglet emerged from the egg just before 1:15 p.m.

This is the ninth eaglet that the pair have hatched.

Photo courtesy of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

The Hays bald eagles laid three eggs this year. It’s been 39 days since the first egg was laid, 36 days since the second was laid, and 33 days since the third egg was laid. Bald eagle eggs typically take around 35 to 37 days to hatch.

To watch the stream of the Hays bald eagles any time, click HERE.

Office Of Michael Rosfeld’s Lawyer Shot Up Overnight; Former Client Defends Him Saying, ‘I’m Black And I’m Saying Pat Thomassey Is A Good Guy’

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 16:15:01 +0000

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MONROEVILLE, Pa.(KDKA) – The Monroeville office for Patrick Thomassey, the lawyer for former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld, was shot up overnight after Rosefeld was found not guilty in the shooting death of Antwon Rose on Friday.

Thomassey told KDKA’s Meghan Schiller that police called him early Saturday morning after hearing reports that someone fired shots into his Monroeville law office.

Thomassey said he met with investigators as they processed the scene and took measurements of the bullet holes and removed the casings. He said his office has been there for 28 years and this has never happened before.

Photo Credit: Meghan Schiller/KDKA

He said no one was in the building at the time of the shooting, but bullets hit the glass window, the wall to the left of the front door, an inside chair and the paper shredder.

Photo Credit: Meghan Schiller/KDKA

Police officers told KDKA that they received a 911 call from a woman who said she reportedly heard six or seven gunshots. The call came in just a short time after the jury in the Michael Rosfeld trial delivered a “not guilty” verdict. Thomassey represented Rosfeld for the trial.

A prior client of Thomassey, Brennan Boyd, known in the Monroeville area as rapper TrippyDo, called KDKA early Saturday. He said he saw many negative posts and comments about Thomassey on social media following the verdict and wanted to stand up for his character.

“There’s a jury, there’s a judge, there’s evidence and everything and I’m not saying what the cop did was OK.” Boyd said. “I’m not condoning what the cop did or whatever, but for you to take out all your anger and stuff on a lawyer- come on now. It looks horrible. For everyone.”

Boyd said Thomassey took on his “difficult case” after he posed for a photo on Facebook holding two guns in front of a police cruiser. He said his posts were very “anti-police,” but Thomassey represented him and treated him respectfully.

“I’m black and I’m saying Pat Thomassey is a good guy,” Boyd said. “That’s it. Leave him alone.”

RELATED STORIES:

Michael Rosfeld Acquittal: Fundraiser Set Up To Assist Rosfeld Family

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 14:52:42 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – After his acquittal of killing Antwon Rose, a fundraiser was set up for former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld.

The fundraiser for Rosfeld was set up by his wife two weeks ago.

The campaignfundedjustice.com has raised a little less than $15,000 as of 11 a.m. on Saturday.

(Photo Credit: Andy Sheehan/KDKA)

Rosfeld’s wife, Michelle, says that since he is unable to work, the family’s resources are depleted and they need financial assistance with his defense, which is not over after a civil suit is expected to be filed by the Rose family.

Similar fundraisers were set up to help Antwon Rose II’s family following the shooting, but those have now been taken down.

RELATED STORIES:

Office Of Michael Rosfeld’s Lawyer Shot Up Overnight
The Day After: Michael Rosfeld Found Not Guilty In Shooting Death Of Antwon Rose
Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld Found Not Guilty In Antwon Rose Shooting
More stories related to Michael Rosfeld
More stories related to Antwon Rose

The jury of six men and six women, including three African-Americans, was selected across the state in Harrisburg and had been sequestered in a Pittsburgh hotel for the duration of the trial.

Pittsburgh Weather: Chilly Temps. Give Way To Sunny Skies, Warmer Temps.

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 13:55:54 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Things are starting to calm down and cool down on the weather front for the weekend.

The skies cleared Saturday morning with most of the area seeing mostly sun. But there will be chilly temperatures before the sunshine takes over for the weekend.

Current Conditions | School Delays & Closings | Local Radar | Weather App | Photos

There are no shortage of nice days in the upcoming forecast.

Photo Credit: KDKA

The average high is 52 degrees, which the area is not expected to reach. On Sunday, temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal in the upper 50s and potentially low 60s.

There could be some rain late in the day Sunday after temperatures climb throughout the day.

Monday could be soggy before dry and warmer temperatures take over in the early part of the week.

Mostly Sunday on Tuesday and Wednesday with normal to below normal temperatures before things warm up into the mid-60s by Friday.

Stay up to date with the KDKA app, which you can download here.

Installation Of 30,000-Pound MRI Scanner In Oakland Postponed

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 11:49:10 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The installation of a MRI scanner at the Mellon Institute was postponed Saturday.

Carnegie Mellon officials said the installation could happen any time after noon, depending on weather and wind conditions.

Photo Courtesy: Mellon Institute

Fifth Avenue, between Bellefield Avenue and Dithridge Street is still closed to vehicular traffic and parking through 5 a.m. Monday.

The new 3-Tesla Siemens Prisma MRI scanner will be the centerpiece of a new joint Carnegie Mellon – University of Pittsburgh neuroimaging research facility when it is installed.

Moon Boys, Peters Township Girls Basketball Teams Bring Home State Titles

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 11:17:21 +0000

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(KDKA) – Congratulations are in order for the Moon Area School District boys and Peters Township girls basketball teams.

Moon won the PIAA Class 5A State Basketball Championship in Hershey, Pa., after coming from behind in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers overcame a 9-point deficit to beat Archbishop Wood 74-64.

The Vikings has hoped to win their second title in three years.

On the girl’s side, Peters Township wrapped up a perfect 30-0 season to win the 6A PIAA title. They beat Garnett Valley 62-49 to cap their unbeaten season.

Later on Saturday, the Chartiers Valley girls take on Archbishop Carroll to try to cap a perfect season in the 5A title game, and the North Catholic girls go for the 4A championship against Bethlehem Catholic.

The Day After: Michael Rosfeld Found Not Guilty In Shooting Death Of Antwon Rose

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 10:23:35 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A not-guilty verdict at the trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld on Friday night has Pittsburgh on edge Saturday.

Hundreds of protestors filled the streets after the verdict was announced Friday night, and they are saying there was no justice for Antwon Rose II. Rose was shot and killed after running away from police after the vehicle he was in was pulled over for being suspected of being involved in a drive-by shooting minutes earlier.

On Saturday morning, news broke that shots were fired into Rosfeld’s attorney Patrick Thomassey’s office.

After more than three days of testimony and more than three hours of deliberations by an out-of-town jury, Rosfeld was found not guilty on all four possible charges — first-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter – at around 9:15 p.m. on Friday. The jury of six men and six women, including three African-Americans, was selected across the state in Harrisburg and had been sequestered in a Pittsburgh hotel for the duration of the trial.

(Sketch By: Emily Goff/KDKA)

Rosfeld had pulled over an unlicensed taxicab suspected to have been used in a drive-by shooting minutes before shooting Rose in the back, arm and side of the face as he ran from a traffic stop. Rose had been riding in the front seat of the taxi when Zaijuan Hester, in the back seat, rolled down a window and shot at two men on the street.

Hester, 18, of Swissvale, pleaded guilty last week to aggravated assault and firearms violations for the earlier shooting, which wounded a man in the abdomen. Hester told a judge that he, not Rose, did the shooting.

There were strong emotions on the steps of the courthouse following the verdict on Friday. Family members and close family supporters of Rose were seen crying and shaking their heads in disbelief.

Dozens of police officers filled the courthouse in the moments before the jury read the verdict to make sure no outbursts occurred.

The judge ruled that Rosfeld be taken off electronic monitoring, which he had been on since July 2018.

Rosfeld, his wife, his parents and the rest of his family were taken out of the courtroom under guard after the verdict was read.

The Rose family was then also taken out of the courtroom under guard.

RELATED STORIES:

Pittsburgh Police say that they are prepared to keep everyone safe – including demonstrators, residents, business owners and visitors – following the verdict.

Police are working 12-hour shifts this weekend in an effort to put as many officers on the streets as possible – not only Downtown but in various zones. Their main goal is to keep the city safe.

The police have set up a mobile tent city on 35th Street in the Strip District to hasten response time for any issue this weekend.

Public safety is spraying off sidewalks and roads around the courthouse, but barricades are still in place as of Saturday morning.

#NEW: @PghPublicSafety spraying off sidewalks and roads around the courthouse. Barricades still in place. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/tjQslS86y6

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 23, 2019

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala issued the following statement Friday regarding the verdict:

“I have always believed that the criminal justice system belongs to the people and the best example of that is when 12 men and women sit in a room and deliberate how best to pass judgement onto one of their peers, indeed that is the foundation on which the entire criminal justice system is built.

“While I respectfully disagree with their verdict, it is the people of this commonwealth who decide guilty or not guilty and they have spoken to this matter.

“In the interest of justice, we must continue to do our job of bringing charges in situations where charges are appropriate, regardless of the role an individual holds in the community.”

Mayor Bill Peduto tweeted the following statement:

“Tonight I grieve with Antwon’s family, friends, and the entire community. Words cannot heal the pain so many are feeling. Only action can begin the process, a process that will take work & understanding.

“An understanding that inequality exists & we have a moral obligation to address it. I offer the full support of the city of Pittsburgh, to help us find light in darkness.”

Lee Merritt, the attorney for Rose’s family, said the verdict was “disappointing” for the family.

A short time after the prosecution rested its case on Friday, Merritt made a prediction that the evidence was strong enough for the jury to return a guilty verdict.

Watch Lee Merritt speak —

Merritt later issued the following statement:

“While the family of Antwon Rose is devastated that former officer Michael Rosfeld was acquitted today, they are grateful for the support of the community and from many around the country.

Although the facts of the case seemed clear cut, namely that Antwon Rose was shot in the back as he ran from officer Rosfeld; the jury’s verdict was heavily influenced by flaws in current Pennsylvania law that contradict protections afforded citizens by the U.S. Constitution.

Antwon’s family and I will be working to change those laws in an effort to prevent other families from suffering a similar disappointment.

We will also focus our efforts on holding those accountable for Antwon’s death through our civli suit.

The fight for justice is never easy, but we will make every effort to protect the memory and legacy of Antwon Rose.”

Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey reacted to the verdict after it was read.

“I don’t have any question in my mind that this was the proper verdict,” Thomassey said. “I give this jury a lot of credit. This was a very hard case. I would point out to you that this was not an all-white jury. There are African Americans on this jury. They listened to the facts. They listened to the law, and in my opinion, they rendered the correct verdict.

“And I’m gonna say this right now, this case had nothing to do with race, absolutely nothing to do with race, and certain people in this city have made it that way and it’s sad. Mike Rosfeld was doing his job. He did his job. Had nothing to do with the color of anybody he was arresting. And I’m glad the case is over. I hope everybody just gets on with their lives, including Mr. Rosfeld and including me, to tell you the truth. He’s maintained from the beginning that he just was trying to do what he was supposed to do.

“There’s a car that’s involved in trying to murder two people up the road. What’s he supposed to do? And if you heard Mr. Joe, the expert, who I think is the best guy in the state, he said he did what he was supposed to do. Think about it. What if this is happening in your neighborhood? Supposed to let them go? Really? That’s not what we want. We want to be safe in our homes. We want the police officers to make us safe, and that’s exactly what happened here.”

Thomassey said he couldn’t remember what he said to Rosfeld after the verdict was read.

“He’s a good man. He is. He said to me so many times, Patrick, it had nothing to do with the kid’s color, I just was doing what I was trained to do,” Thomassey said. “He wasn’t pulling him over for going through a stop sign. He was pulling him over for a shooting. This case has drained everybody involved in it.”

Watch Patrick Thomassey speak —

Hundreds of protesters blocked the intersection of Forbes and Murray overnight, holding signs saying there was no justice for Antwon Rose II. They also spray painted a portion of the street with the logo J4A – meaning justice for Antwon.

Photo Credit: KDKA

As a safety precaution, police set up some salt trucks to block the entrance of the Zone 5 Police headquarters Friday night.

Photo Credit: KDKA

Former Officer Michael Rosfeld Not Guilty: Hundreds Of Protesters Take To Pittsburgh Streets

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 03:59:15 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Hundreds of protesters have taken to Pittsburgh streets after former police officer Michael Rosfeld found not guilty of shooting Antwon Rose.

A jury found Rosfeld, who is charged in the June 2018 shooting death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose II, not guilty.

Watch Kym Gable’s report —

The jury reached their verdict after deliberating for about three and a half hours Friday.

A large crowd of protesters began to gather outside the Allegheny County Courthouse shortly after the verdict was announced.

At one point, one protester read a poem Rose wrote two years before he was killed that said in part, “I AM NOT WHAT YOU THINK! I am confused and afraid. I wonder what path I will take.”

Watch Paul Martino’s report —

The Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety says they will continue to do what they can to keep the city safe.

“While preparing for the end of the Michael Rosfeld trial, the focus and singular goal of the City of Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Department was to keep the city safe.
That remains our focus tonight. It will remain our focus in the days to come.
If demonstrations occur, Pittsburgh Police will be present to assure safety for everyone — including demonstrators, residents, business owners and visitors to our city.
We know from experience that when Pittsburgh experiences hardships, we come together as a community.
Public Safety’s mission is and always will be to keep everyone safe.”

Around 11:55 p.m. Friday, Public Safety tweeted that a peaceful demonstration in East Liberty was resulting in multiple rolling/temporary closures.

ALERT: Peaceful demonstration in East Liberty is resulting in multiple rolling/temporary road closures. Be aware of delays. @PghPolice is present to assure safety.

— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) March 23, 2019

Rosfeld shot and killed Rose last summer after pulling over an unlicensed taxicab suspected to have been involved in a drive-by shooting minutes earlier. Rose, a passenger in the vehicle, was shot in the back as he fled.

The fact that Rosfeld shot Rose was never in dispute; instead, the jury was tasked with deciding if the shooting was justified.

Prosecutors charged Rosfeld with an open count of homicide, meaning the jury could convict Rosfeld of murder or manslaughter. The defense argued a murder charge wasn’t appropriate in the case.

“What we have is a police officer doing his duty. There’s not a hardness of heart required for first- or third-degree murder,” defense lawyer Patrick Thomassey argued in court. “We have a burst of three shots in one second on a fleeing felon and we’re going to charge him with murder? It’s not fair.”

The trial began on Tuesday morning with opening statements, lasting about 45 minutes. After that, the prosecution began presenting their case.

Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld Found Not Guilty In Antwon Rose Shooting

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 03:59:01 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — A jury has found former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, who is charged in the June 2018 shooting death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose II, not guilty.

The jury reached their verdict after deliberating for about three and a half hours Friday.

There was high emotion in the courtroom as the verdict was read.

The judge ruled that Rosfeld be taken off electronic monitoring, which he had been on since July 2018.

Rosfeld, his wife, his parents and the rest of his family were taken out of the courtroom under guard after the verdict was read.

The Rose family was then also taken out of the courtroom under guard. Their frustration and disappointment was evident. They had no immediate reaction to the verdict.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala issued the following statement regarding the verdict:

“I have always believed that the criminal justice system belongs to the people and the best example of that is when 12 men and women sit in a room and deliberate how best to pass judgement onto one of their peers, indeed that is the foundation on which the entire criminal justice system is built.

“While I respectfully disagree with their verdict, it is the people of this commonwealth who decide guilty or not guilty and they have spoken to this matter.

“In the interest of justice, we must continue to do our job of bringing charges in situations where charges are appropriate, regardless of the role an individual holds in the community.”

Mayor Bill Peduto tweeted the following statement:

“Tonight I grieve with Antwon’s family, friends, and the entire community. Words cannot heal the pain so many are feeling. Only action can begin the process, a process that will take work & understanding.

“An understanding that inequality exists & we have a moral obligation to address it. I offer the full support of the city of Pittsburgh, to help us find light in darkness.”

Watch Ralph Iannotti’s report —

Lee Merritt, the attorney for Rose’s family, said the verdict was “disappointing” for the family.

“Suffice to say, the conclusion of this jury of not guilty on all counts for the murder of Antwon Rose is very disappointing for this family. Unfortunately, I had to walk a lot of families through verdicts that go contrary at least to what most people would expect from the video evidence that shook a nation, shook a community. Antwon Rose was shot in his back, which killed him. He was unarmed and he did not pose a threat to the officer and to the community, and the verdict today says that is OK, that that is acceptable behavior for a police officer, and on behalf of the Rose family, on behalf of the African-American community and lovers of justice, we say it’s not OK. Obviously something has to change. I’ve had some candid conversations with litigators from this department and throughout the country. Quite frankly I don’t believe the commonwealth’s statute as it relates to use of force is consistent with the Constitution. It will have to be challenged in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. It will have to continue to be challenged on a federal level, and we look forward to moving forward with our civil rights suit that we’ll continue to prosecute Mr. Rosfeld for the wrongful death of Antwon Rose as well as the institution, the city of East Pittsburgh, the policing community that continues to allow this kind of unnecessary and unconstitutional deaths to occur. I have to emphasize that the point of the ongoing federal civil rights lawsuit, which we believe is very well settled, which is not only to hold Rosfeld accountable, but to hold institutions accountable. When you have institutionally racist systems, institutionally biased systems in favor of law enforcement, you can never really get justice,” Merritt said.

A short time after the prosecution rested its case on Friday, Merritt made a prediction that the evidence was strong enough for the jury to return a guilty verdict.

Watch Lee Merritt speak —

Merritt said he didn’t expect the jury to return so quickly.

“I think that there was enough evidence in this case to merit longer deliberation and more consideration of the entire evidence, given the gravity of the situation. I’ve said repeatedly throughout this trial that the humanity of Antwon Rose wasn’t put on display, and I think that if they were considering that they were valuing the live of a beautiful, intelligent, valuable member of this community, then it should have been afforded more time,” Merritt said.

Merritt went on to say the family was devastated, but “encouraged because our fight continues.”

Merritt later issued the following statement:

“While the family of Antwon Rose is devastated that former officer Michael Rosfeld was acquitted today, they are grateful for the support of the community and from many around the country.

Although the facts of the case seemed clear cut, namely that Antwon Rose was shot in the back as he ran from officer Rosfeld; the jury’s verdict was heavily influenced by flaws in current Pennsylvania law that contradict protections afforded citizens by the U.S. Constitution.

Antwon’s family and I will be working to change those laws in an effort to prevent other families from suffering a similar disappointment.

We will also focus our efforts on holding those accountable for Antwon’s death through our civli suit.

The fight for justice is never easy, but we will make every effort to protect the memory and legacy of Antwon Rose.”

Watch Patrick Thomassey speak —

Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey reacted to the verdict after it was read.

“I don’t have any question in my mind that this was the proper verdict. I give this jury a lot of credit. This was a very hard case. I would point out to you that this was not an all-white jury. There are African Americans on this jury. They listened to the facts. They listened to the law, and in my opinion, they rendered the correct verdict. And I’m gonna say this right now, this case had nothing to do with race, absolutely nothing to do with race, and certain people in this city have made it that way and it’s sad. Mike Rosfeld was doing his job. He did his job. Had nothing to do with the color of anybody he was arresting. And I’m glad the case is over. I hope everybody just gets on with their lives, including Mr. Rosfeld and including me, to tell you the truth,” defense attorney Patrick Thomassey said. “He’s maintained from the beginning that he just was trying to do what he was supposed to do. There’s a car that’s involved in trying to murder two people up the road. What’s he supposed to do? And if you heard Mr. Joe, the expert, who I think is the best guy in the state, he said he did what he was supposed to do. Think about it. What if this is happening in your neighborhood? Supposed to let them go? Really? That’s not what we want. We want to be safe in our homes. We want the police officers to make us safe, and that’s exactly what happened here.”

Thomassey said he couldn’t remember what he said to Rosfeld after the verdict was read.

Watch protesters react after the verdict —

A large crowd of protesters began to gather outside the Allegheny County Courthouse shortly after the verdict was announced.

At one point, one protester read a poem Rose wrote two years before he was killed that said in part, “I AM NOT WHAT YOU THINK! I am confused and afraid. I wonder what path I will take.”

The Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety released the following statement around 10:30 p.m.

“While preparing for the end of the Michael Rosfeld trial, the focus and singular goal of the City of Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Department was to keep the city safe.

“That remains our focus tonight. It will remain our focus in the days to come.

“If demonstrations occur, Pittsburgh Police will be present to assure safety for everyone — including demonstrators, residents, business owners and visitors to our city.

“We know from experience that when Pittsburgh experiences hardships, we come together as a community.

“Public Safety’s mission is and always will be to keep everyone safe.”

RELATED STORIES:

The fact that Rosfeld shot Rose was never in dispute; instead, the jury was tasked with deciding if the shooting was justified.

Prosecutors charged Rosfeld with an open count of homicide, meaning the jury could convict Rosfeld of murder or manslaughter. The defense argued a murder charge wasn’t appropriate in the case.

The trial began on Tuesday morning with opening statements, lasting about 45 minutes. After that, the prosecution began presenting their case.

The prosecution called numerous witnesses to take the stand, including people who witnessed the shooting as well as experts from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

One witness quoted what he said he heard Rosfeld say in the aftermath of the shooting, questioning his own actions. John Leach said he saw Rosfeld crying and hyperventilating, saying, “Why did I shoot? Why did I fire?”

The prosecution rested its case on Thursday afternoon. In the minutes after, the defense asked for an acquittal, requesting the judge to drop the first-, second- and third-degree homicide considerations.

The judge denied the request and the defense began to present their case Thursday afternoon with Rosfeld taking the stand in his own defense.

On the stand, Rosfeld said, “I was upset and shocked. I could see the wound on his face. He was moaning, trying to breath.”

The jury was sequestered in a downtown hotel for the trial.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto: ‘I Grieve With Antwon Rose’s Family, Friends, And The Entire Community’

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 02:46:55 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is reacting to the not guilty verdict of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld.

“Tonight I grieve with Antwon’s family, friends, and the entire community. Words cannot heal the pain so many are feeling. Only action can begin the process, a process that will take work & understanding,” Peduto said via Twitter.

A jury found Rosfeld, who is charged in the June 2018 shooting death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose II, not guilty.

The jury reached their verdict after deliberating for about three and a half hours Friday.

The fact that Rosfeld shot Rose was never in dispute; instead, the jury was tasked with deciding if the shooting was justified.

“An understanding that inequality exists & we have a moral obligation to address it. I offer the full support of the city of Pittsburgh, to help us find light in darkness,” Peduto said.

‘I Was Not Surprised At The Verdict, We’ve Seen It In Baltimore, We’ve Seen It In Ferguson:’ Pa. State Rep. Responds To Michael Rosfeld Not Guilty Verdict

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 02:19:19 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pennsylvania State Representative Summer Lee is speaking out following the not guilty verdict of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld.

“I was not surprised at the verdict, we’ve seen it in Baltimore, we’ve seen it in Ferguson,” Lee told KDKA’s Ralph Iannotti.

A jury found former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, who is charged in the June 2018 shooting death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose II, not guilty.

The jury reached their verdict after deliberating for about three and a half hours Friday.

A large crowd of protesters began to gather outside the Allegheny County Courthouse shortly after the verdict was announced.

Lee, who represents the 34th District of Swissvale – Rankin, joined those protesters saying, “we would like this to stop happening, we would like to not have to continue to rally and march,” she said. “We keep coming cause we understand justice is something we have to continue to fight for.”

Lee says she wasn’t surprised by the verdict, and that police officers being held accountable is rare.

“To be found guilty of one, even when it is clear, we have seen clear evidence of police officers shooting people in their backs, this is par for course,” Lee says.

“I hope whatever decision these people made, it has an impact, throughout out whole community and our whole country,” Lee said. “We’ve been fighting for justice in this county for centuries.”

Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld On Trial For Antwon Rose Shooting: Day 4 Live Updates

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 00:59:24 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — Closing arguments have begun on Day 4 of the trial for former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, who is accused in the death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose last June, at the Allegheny County Courthouse.

MICHAEL ROSFELD ARRIVES AT COURTHOUSE (Friday, March 22 at 8:59 p.m.)

KDKA’s Kym Gable says Michael Rosfeld has arrived at the courthouse and the jury will be rendering their verdict soon.

Former officer Michael Rosfeld just arrived at courthouse. Jury will be rendering verdict soon. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/qrUpJ9scla

— Kymgabletv (@Kymgable) March 23, 2019

JURY REACHES VERDICT (Friday, March 22 at 8:20 p.m.)

The jury has reached a verdict, although that verdict has not yet been announced.

JUDGE FINISHES CHARGING JURY (Friday, March 22 at 4:40 p.m.)

The judge has charged the jury and released them to begin deliberations.

BREAKING: Judge Alexander Bicket finishes charging jury to begin deliberations in Rosfeld criminal homicide trial.

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 22, 2019

Deliberations began at 4:40 p.m.

Jury deliberations in the case of Commonwealth of Pa. v. Michael Rosfeld began at 4:40pm.

— AlleghenyCountyDA (@AlleghenyCoDA) March 22, 2019

Deliberations are expecting to continue into Friday night and possibly into Saturday.

CLOSING ARGUMENTS (Friday, March 22 at 2:40 p.m.)

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office said closing arguments began at 2:40 p.m. in the trial of Michael Rosfeld.

Closing arguments got underway at 2:40 in the trial of Commonwealth of Pa. v. Michael Rosfeld.

— AlleghenyCountyDA (@AlleghenyCoDA) March 22, 2019

Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey told the jury they must decide “whether Michael Rosfeld is a criminal or a policeman. It’s that simple.”

In his 35-minute closing, Thomassey said Rosfeld is on trial for murder for doing his job.

“Do you think he woke up on June 19 and decided he was going to shoot somebody? Of course not. Antwon Rose and Zaijuan Hester woke up on June 19 and decided they were going to shoot somebody and they did,” Thomassey said.

Throughout, Thomassey has argued that Rosfeld believed himself and the community to be under deadly threat, but under the law, he said, Rosfeld would be justified in shooting Rose because Rose fled.

“If he doesn’t believe Rose has a gun, he can still shoot him. Under the law, he doesn’t have to see a gun. He thought he did. I don’t know,” Thomassey said.

Walking over to Rosfeld, Thomassey put his hand on the former officer’s shoulder and said, “I’m not a policeman but I’d have done the same thing. This isn’t right. It’s not right.”

Jonathan Fodi, closing for the prosecution, said Rosfeld was not in danger and had no reason to shoot. Holding his fingertips an inch apart, he said: “Michael Rosfeld knew this much about 17-year-old Antwon Rose and he took everything. He was judge, jury and executioner that day.”

Fodi argued that Rosfeld ignored police procedure by not commanding the suspects to remain in the car and by not waiting for backup.

“Everything Michael Rosfeld did on June 19 made this situation more dangerous. Wait 30 seconds. Don’t endanger your community,” Fodi said.

Arguing that Rosfeld had malice under the law, he said Rosfeld shot to kill Rose as Rose was running away.

“Every single time the defendant shot at Antwon Rose, he had the intent to kill. Every one of them when Antwon Rose posed no threat to Mr. Rosfeld,” Fodi said.

CLOSING ARGUMENTS DELAYED (Friday, March 22 at 12:30 p.m.)

Closing arguments were set to begin at 12:30 p.m., but have now been pushed back to 1:30 p.m. as the jury has just gotten lunch.

ATTORNEYS SPEAK OUT (Friday, March 22 at 11:40 a.m.)

KDKA’s Meghan Schiller was there when Rose family attorney Fred Rabner spoke to the media following the lifting of the gag order by the judge.

Rabner said: “The jury is going to decide what the jury decides. As a society, we understand that there’s inherent biases in all of us, and we would hope that the jury would be fair, and we hope that they selected a fair jury, but the district attorney can’t know that, Mr. Thomassey can’t know that. You might have people that have inherent biases there. So, I think what we can hope for as a society is that our criminal system, jurisprudence, in our country is the best in the world. It’s lauded as the best in the world and it really is.”

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan was there when defense attorney Pat Thomassey spoke to the media following the lifting of the gag order by the judge.

Thomassey said: “What I’m saying is at this point I don’t believe that they disproved justification beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Rosfeld attorney Patrick Thomassey says prosecution did not make their case. pic.twitter.com/o7HdeWPKPT

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 22, 2019

DEFENSE RESTS (Friday, March 22 at 11:05 a.m.)

The defense has rested in the Rosfeld trial with the judge then saying, “Okay jury, you have heard the entire case.” Closing arguments are set to begin at 12:30 p.m.

#BREAKING: The defense just rested.
The judge said: “okay jury, you have heard the entire case.”
Closing arguments begin at 12:30 in #MichaelRosfeldTrial @KDKA

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 22, 2019

The judge has denied a motion from the defense for an acquittal from Rosfeld.

Judge Bicket denies defense motion to acquit Rosfeld. Both sides will present closing arguments before it goes to the jury.

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 22, 2019

Rosfeld’s attorney Thomassey told the judge that the prosecution did not present any expert witnesses contesting the officer’s action. He said, “They didn’t do it. They didn’t do their job.”

But prosecutors said the video shows that Rosfeld shot Rose running away, posing no threat. Prosecutor Fitzsimmons said to one defense witness: “You’re telling us we can’t necessarily believe our own eyes when we see that video.”

Prosecutor to defense witness: "You're telling us we can't necessarily believe our own eyes when we see that video."

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 22, 2019

JUROR DISMISSED (Friday, March 22 at 9:50 a.m.)

Juror No. 2 has been dismissed by the judge. Alternate juror No. 13 will be taking over.

#breaking: the judge dismissed juror #2. Alternate juror #13 will take place. No reason for dismissal was given @KDKA pic.twitter.com/4yczsKLjt6

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 22, 2019

Juror No. 2 was a 39-year-old librarian and the daughter of a police officer. She has a degree in Library Science and worked for a tech company. She has dyed purple hair and took copious notes.

KDKA’s Amy Wadas Reports:

The juror taking her place, No. 13, is a 50-year-old white man and is a car dealership service writer.

MORE INFO: The judge dismissed juror #2. We are learning she was a 39-year-old librarian & the daughter of a police officer. She has a degree in library science & worked for a tech company. She has dyed purple hair & took copious notes. Juror #13 will take her place. @kdka

— Amy Wadas (@AmyWadas) March 22, 2019

MORE: We are learning juror #13 is a 50-year-old white man and is a car dealership service writer. @kdka

— Amy Wadas (@AmyWadas) March 22, 2019

The DA’s office said they don't have any information on why juror #2 was removed. #MichaelRosfeld’s attorney Pat Thomassey said that information can’t be released because it was done in chambers and it wouldnt be proper for him to comment. @kdka

— Amy Wadas (@AmyWadas) March 22, 2019

GAG ORDER LIFTED (Friday, March 22 at 9:20 a.m.)

The judge has lifted the gag order in the Rosfeld case after complaints about the Rose family attorney continually speaking to the media.

KDKA’s Paul Martino Reports:

Defense attorney Pat Thomassey said Rose family attorney, Lee Merritt, should “know better” and respect the gag order. Thomassey said he wanted it lifted so he can go and walk outside and say whatever he wants to say.

#BREAKING: Judge lifts gag order on #MichaelRosfeld case @KDKA pic.twitter.com/bNoC8SSPZL

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 22, 2019

Defense attorney Thomassey said Lee Merritt, the attorney for the Rose family should “know better” and respect the gag order. Thomassey said he wants it lifted so he can go and walk outside and say whatever he wants to say. @KDKA

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 22, 2019

“We never believed there should be a gag order in the first place. Trials, public trials, are public for a reason. Our constitution made them public for a reason. Justice is supposed to take place in the open,” Merritt said.

“I’m tired of it. When this case is concluded, there’s certain evidence about Mr. Rose that I will make public,” Thomassey said.

The Rose family issued the following statement through their attorney: “We are pleased that the judge has lifted the gag order in this case. We never asked for or wanted a gag order in the first place. With three bullets, former officer Michael Rosfeld forever silenced Antwon Rose. It is our right, responsibility and honor to speak for him now. People deserve to know the real Antwon.”

ROSE’S MOTHER & SISTER ARRIVE FOR DAY 4 (Friday, March 22 at 8:10 a.m.)

Antwon Rose’s mother and sister have arrived at the Allegheny County Courthouse for Day 4 of the Rosfeld trial.

WEB EXTRA: Mother’s Arrival —

WEB EXTRA: Father’s Arrival —

DAY 4 PREVIEW (Friday, March 22 at 7:45 a.m.)

An expert witness will continue his testimony Friday morning in the case of an East Pittsburgh police officer who shot and killed Antwon Rose II while he ran away from a traffic-stop last June.

Michael Rosfeld, 30, testified on his own behalf on Thursday.

KDKA’s Meghan Schiller Reports:

Clifford Jobe, a retired officer and expert witness on use of force, will resume his testimony. On Thursday, he said that Rosfeld’s actions were justified and that he did exactly what he was trained to do.

The prosecution will continue with its cross-examination of Jobe. Jobe said Thursday that he has testified in 41 trials involving police officers and he has said the officer’s actions were justified in every single case.

No word yet on how many more witnesses the defense plans to call to the stand to testify.

KDKA’s Meghan Schiller Reports:

It is possible that the case could go to the jury as early as Friday afternoon.

CLICK HERE FOR A DAY 3 RECAP (Thursday, March 21)

DEFENSE TAKES OVER (Thursday, March 21 at 10:43 p.m.)

Day Three in the trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld ended with a use-of-force expert taking the witness stand.

Defense witness Clifford Jobe was asked by attorney Patrick Thomassey: “What, if anything, did Rosfeld do wrong.”

Jobe responded: “I can’t fault Rosfeld for anything wrong.”

Jobe testified: “Rosfeld did what he was trained to do,” and he added the former police officer was in a high-risk situation after he stopped a car which he believed was involved in a drive-by shooting moments earlier in North Braddock.

KDKA’s Ralph Iannotti Reports:

Jurors saw a video introduced by the defense that shows Rose – getting out of the front passenger seat wearing a white t-shirt – and two others cleaning up broken glass and trying to cover the back window of the Chevy Cruise that was shot up a short time before Rose was fatally shot in East Pittsburgh last June.

The Rose family Attorney said he didn’t believe the video would have much influence on the jury.

After the day’s testimony concluded, Attorney S.Lee Merritt told reporters, “I found it to be pretty mundane video. Antwon, we know, was in a car that was shot up. We know from the evidence. There’s no evidence what-so-ever that Antwon ever fired a weapon, and he certainly he did not have a weapon on him when he was shot.”

ROSFELD TAKES THE STAND (Thursday, March 21 at 6:02 p.m.)

Taking the stand in his own defense, Rosfeld spoke in a slightly high-pitched voice, but his testimony was calm and measured describing why he shot Rose.

After drawing his service weapon and putting the driver on the ground, he said two suspects suddenly exited the car and one raised their arm in a gesture towards him.

“One of the suspects pointed what I thought was a handgun. After I see that a handgun is in play, I fire three rounds,” Rosfeld said.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan Reports:

According to his training, Rosfeld said, “I fired because there was a threat. I fired until the threat was eliminated.”

Rosfeld had pulled the car over after responding to a drive-by shooting minutes before in North Braddock, saying he had reason to believe that all three occupants were armed and dangerous.

His defense lawyer, Patrick Thomassey, asked Rosfeld why he shot.

Thomassey: “Why didn’t you let them go?”
Rosfeld: “They were dangerous suspects who had just committed a serious crime.”
Thomassey: “You were doing what you were supposed to do.”
Rosfeld: “Yes, sir.”

The prosecution’s case is raising doubts about Rosfeld’s frame of mind, and Assistant District Attorney Dan Fitzsimmons challenged Rosfeld on whether he was really in danger, saying the car did not match some of the broadcasted descriptions.

Fitzsimmons: “You had significant doubts you had the right car.”
Rosfeld: “No, sir. In my career, I have never heard signifiers that were 100 percent correct.”

Fitzsimmmons had Rosfeld stand and mimic the gesture which he said provoked the shooting. Rosfeld stood and extended his right arm at a right angle.

(Sketch By: Emily Goff/KDKA)

Fitzsimmons: “His back was to you. He was running away when you shot him.”
Rosfeld: “Not the first shot.”

Rosfeld said he shot to protect himself and the community.

Fitzsimmons: “Is that your reason for shooting him to death?”
Rosfeld: “He could have been a danger to the community.”
Fitzsimmons: “That was your reason?”
Rosfeld: “Absolutely, it’s a residential community.”

ROSFELD TO TAKE THE STAND (Thursday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m.)

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan Reports:

After lunch, the judge denied the defense’s acquittal motion. Rosfeld then said he will be taking the stand in his own defense.

Judge in Rosfeld case denies defense motion to acquit the former officer.

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 21, 2019

BREAKING: Michael Rosfeld says he will testify in his own defense.

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 21, 2019

DEFENSE ASKS FOR ACQUITTAL (Thursday, March 21 at 12:12 p.m.)

The defense has asked for an acquittal in Rosfeld trial. His attorneys say the prosecution did not prove malice in the Rose shooting.

BREAKING: Defense asks for acquittal in Rosfeld case. Says prosecution did not prove malice in Antwon Rose shooting.

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 21, 2019

Defense attorney Pat Thomassey says Rosfeld was “doing his duty” in the Rose shooting. He asked the judge to drop the first-, second- and third-degree homicide considerations.

Defense attorney Thomassey says Rosfeld: “Doing his duty” in Antwon Rose shooting. Asks judge to drop 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree homicide considerations

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 21, 2019

Thomassey says Rosfeld did not have malice. He said, “[Rosfeld] didn’t wake up in the morning and say, ‘I’m going to kill someone because I’m angry.'”

Thomassey says Rosfeld did not have malice: He didn’t wake up in the morning and say I’m going to kill someone because because I’m angry.” pic.twitter.com/RV1r9Baxug

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 21, 2019

The judge said he will consider the defense’s acquittal motion over lunch.

The prosecution countered by asking the judge to let case continue. They say they can prove Rosfeld shot Rose in malice because Rose was shot in the back and head. Allegheny County Assistant DA Fitzsimmons said, “When a person is using a deadly weapon on a vital part of the body, there is an inference of malice.”

PROSECUTION RESTS (Thursday, March 21 at 11:55 a.m.)

The prosecution rested its case just before noon. Rosfeld’s defense attorneys will present their case next.

JURY SEES EVIDENCE (Thursday, March 21 at 11:15 a.m.)

KDKA’s Meghan Schiller Reports:

A ballistics expert took the stand Thursday morning, showing the jury a bullet recovered from Rose’s body after the shooting.

Ballistics expert shows jury bullet recovered from Antwon Roses’s body in Rosfeld trial. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/vokgZk5wU7

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 21, 2019

Raymond Everett works for the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office. He testified Thursday at the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld, who fired three bullets into Rose after pulling over a car suspected to have been involved in a drive-by shooting minutes earlier.

The unarmed black 17-year-old had been a passenger in the car.

Rosfeld’s lawyers say the shooting was justified.

Everett told jurors that two guns with extended magazines were recovered from the car.

The witness also testified that Zaijuan Hester’s DNA was found on the gun used in the drive-by. Hester was the other young man in the car with Rose before the shooting. Rose’s DNA was on the 9mm gun, but there was no evidence he fired the gun and no bullets in the clip found in his pocket.

The first witness: Expert witness who testified about firearms & ballistic evidence. He said Hester’s DNA was found on the gun used in the drive-by. Rose’s DNA was on the 9 MM gun, but there was no evidence he fired the gun and no bullets in the clip found in his pocket @KDKA pic.twitter.com/dwFc4Q4E8z

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 21, 2019

The prosecution is trying to prove Rose never fired his gun on the day he was killed; however, Rosfeld’s defense lawyers are challenging that.

Prosecutors trying to prove Antwon Rose never fired his gun on the day he was killed. Rosfeld defense challenging. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/42TcxxBs93

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 21, 2019

ROSE’S PARENTS ARRIVAL (Thursday, March 21 at 8:25 a.m.)

Antwon Rose’s mother and father arrive at the Allegheny County Courthouse for Day 3 of the Rosfeld trial. They arrived separately but within minutes of each other.

WATCH: Rose’s Mother Arrives —

WATCH: Rose’s Father Arrives —

DAY 3 BEGINS (Thursday, March 21 at 8 a.m.)

More witnesses are expected to take the stand today for the prosecution. Once that wraps up, which is expected to be today, the defense will take over calling witnesses. The trial is expected to take a week or more.

KDKA’s Meghan Schiller and Andy Sheehan are heading into the courtroom to provide updates throughout the day.

WATCH: Meghan Schiller Has The Latest —

CLICK HERE FOR A DAY 2 RECAP (Wednesday, March 20)

DAY 2 WRAP-UP (Wednesday, March 20 at 11 p.m.)

Wednesday’s final prosecution witness was a scientist from the Medical Examiner’s Office, who testified he found gunshot residue on Rose’s hand. But, Daniel Wolfe said the residue didn’t necessarily mean Rose fired a gun, instead he said the residue could have come from Rosfeld’s weapon.

TESTIMONY UPDATE (Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m.)

A new perspective in the shooting death of Rose was shown in court on Wednesday. There was also testimony from a witness who said he heard what Rosfeld said after he shot Rose.

Was Rosfeld in danger when he shot a fleeing Rose? The prosecution in this case says no and they presented witnesses to try to bolster that case.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan Reports:

One witness quoted what he said he heard Rosfeld say in the aftermath of the shooting, questioning his own actions.

John Leach said he saw Rosfeld crying and hyperventilating, saying, “Why did I shoot? Why did I fire?”

Leach also said he saw Rose standing at the car raising an empty hand.

“He put his right hand up close to his face,” Leach said. “I thought he was putting his hands up. He looked in both directions and then took off running.”

Rosfeld’s defense attorney, Patrick Thomassey, immediately tried to undermine the testimony, saying the view from Leach’s porch was obstructed and that Leach gave a different version when he was interviewed by police.

View from John Leach’s porch (Photo is a trial exhibit)

“You didn’t say he put his hands up,” Thomassey said. “You said he made a motion with his hand.”

When the defense gets the chance to present its case, it will say that Rosfeld believed that Rose was armed and a threat.

Another witness, community organizer Patrick Shattuck, testified that after the shooting, a distraught Rosfeld indicated as much.

Shattuck said that Rosfeld sat despondent in the community center after the shooting saying, “Why did he do that? Why did he do that? Why did he take that out of his pocket?

The prosecution presented exhibits that Rose’s gun was under his seat and that Rose was not armed when he was shot. Police, however, recovered an empty ammunition magazine from Rose’s pocket, and the defense plans to say Rosfeld thought it was a gun.

Allegheny Housing Authority officer Charles Rozzo said when he put Rosfeld in the police cruiser after the shooting, Rosfeld asked him, “Did you see the gun?”

There are some signs that the prosecution’s case may be winding down and then the defense will be presenting witnesses of their own.

TESTIMONY UPDATE (Wednesday, March 20 at 12 p.m.)

Three more witnesses took the stand for the prosecution Wednesday morning. One of them testifying that he heard Rosfeld admit that he regretted shooting Rose.

Witness John Leach said he saw the shooting, heard it, and then he walked right up to Rose’s body.

On the stand, Leach said he was standing on his front porch nearby, smoking, when the shooting happened. He said he “couldn’t believe his eyes.”

KDKA’s Meghan Schiller Reports:

He said as soon as Rose went to turn and run, the three shots rang out. He went on to testify that he saw Rosfeld “standing on the sidewalk. He was panicking.”

When the prosecutor asked, “Why do you say that?” Leach answered, “He was repeating the same thing over and over, ‘I don’t know why I shot him. I don’t know why I fired. I don’t know why I shot.'”

People audibly gasped in the courtroom after he told that to the jury.

He said more officers arrived, and started tending to Rosfeld. He said, “Rosfeld was leaning up against a wall and crying. He was about to pass out.”

Also, the jury got to see a new perspective of the shooting.

Cellphone video captured by a driver, a 21-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, who is a junior and football player. He said he heard three gunshots, and saw a guy in a white t-shirt running away.

The mayor was the last witness on the stand, just before noon.

The prosecution has not yet said how many witnesses they will call before the case is turned over to defense.

GAG ORDER REQUEST (Wednesday, March 20)

Michael Rosfeld’s attorney, Patrick Thomassey, has asked the judge to lift the gag order in the case.

Thomassey is not happy that Rose family attorney, Lee Merritt, spoke to the media late Tuesday. He believes that violated the gag order currently in place.

But the prosecution argued the gag order only pertains to key players in the trial.

The judge decided not to lift the gag order and said Thomassey can interpret it as he likes.

KDKA’s John Delano Reports:

WITNESS TESTIMONY (Wednesday, March 20 at 10:30 a.m.)

A witness who took the stand on Wednesday morning told the court he watched then-officer Rosfeld shoot Rose.

He testified that he then walked down the street to get a closer look. He said he saw Rosfeld “panicking.” He said Rosfeld kept repeating, “I don’t know why I shot him. I don’t know why I fired. I don’t know why I shot.”

#Breaking: Witness said he watched Rosfeld shoot Rose. He then walked down the street to get a closer look. He said he saw Rosfeld “panicking.” He said Rosfeld kept repeating “I don’t know why I shot him. I don’t know why I fired. I don’t know why I shot.” @KDKA #AntwonRoseII pic.twitter.com/ryhdXKkB3r

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 20, 2019

New video introduced in court this morning, from another witness, shows the moments leading up to the shooting. The witness said he saw the officer behind his door with his gun drawn and said, “They were running.”

#Breaking: New video from another witness shows the moments leading up to the shooting. The witness said he saw the officer behind his door with his gun drawn and said “they were running.” @KDKA pic.twitter.com/e6GQ7KXTno

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 20, 2019

DAY 2 START DELAYED (Wednesday, March 20 at 9:20 a.m.)

The start of Day 2 is running 15 minutes late so far. KDKA’s Meghan Schiller reports the courthouse has reportedly upgraded the audio system and the size of the projector screen in the overflow courtroom viewing area.

#UPDATE: The start of day two is running 15 minutes late so far. They reportedly have upgraded the audio system and the size of the projector screen in the overflow courtroom viewing area. #MichaelRosfeld #AntwonRoseII @KDKA pic.twitter.com/OIFI7hnBKJ

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 20, 2019

ANTWON ROSE’S MOTHER (Wednesday, March 20 at 8 a.m.)

Michelle Kenney, Antwon Rose II’s mother, has arrived at the courthouse for the second day of former officer Michael Rosfeld’s trial. She has also released a letter this morning thanking the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office for their patience as the case proceeded, keeping her informed, and for “seeking justice for my son.”

WATCH: Kenney Arrives At Courthouse —

The letter reads in part, “Throughout this process, you have both been patient, you have worked to keep me informed and you have made it your responsibility to give me peace during times of agitation. I’d like to personally thank you both for that.

“I know every mother believes their child is “exceptional” and as advocates for victims it may sound repetitious to you. However, I am not asking you to just take my word for it. Please remember what those in the community who knew Antwon had to say about him.”

It goes on to say: “What makes me proudest in life is that I am, and will always be, Antwon’s mom.”

To read the full letter, click here.

CLICK HERE FOR A DAY 1 RECAP (Tuesday, March 19)

TUESDAY’S TESTIMONY (Tuesday, March 19 at 6 p.m.)

The trial wrapped up on Day 1 just before 6 p.m. Tuesday. The first eyewitness took the stand and testified that Michael Rosfeld shot automatically when the two suspects ran from the car after being pulled over by police.

Next-door-neighbor Debra Jones said the shooting unfolded in front of her and that after stopping the car, Rosfeld shot without cause when the two boys ran.

“Automatically,” she said. “Three shots. Boom, boom, boom.”

KDKA’s Ralph Iannotti Reports:

Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Dan Fitzsimmons asked, “Did you see anything in their hands?”

Jones replied, “No, no, I did not.”

Jones said she went to talk with neighbors but returned to see Rose face-down on the ground with his hands cuffed behind him.

Later, Jones said she saw Rosefeld huddled with other officers. She said he was very upset and crying.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan Reports:

Jones said the two men ran from the car immediately, but defense attorney Patrick Thomassey said she initially told police the two seemed to motion with their hands.

Thomassey also questioned whether Jones had been drinking that day, noting that the police said she appeared intoxicated.

Jones said she drank after the incident.

Last to testify was the woman who took the video of the incident, Lashaun Livingston. She took the video from her balcony from 180 feet away.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan Reports:

She said she heard Rosfeld yell in an angry tone that frightened her but she couldn’t hear exactly what he was saying.

B-PEP ISSUES STATEMENT ON CROWD SIZE (Tuesday, March 19 at 3 p.m.)

Tim Stevens, the CEO of B-PEP, says the courts should have anticipated the large crowd size and interest in the trial.

Stevens wrote a letter addressed to President Judge Kim Clark and Allegheny County DA Stephan Zappala complaining about the problem, saying many had waited in line for more than an hour, only to find out there was no room in the main courtroom.

ROSE FAMILY RELEASES STATEMENT (Tuesday, March 19 at 1:40 p.m.)

The family of Antwon Rose has released this statement through their attorney Fred G. Rabner:

“June 19th is a day the family of Antwon Rose II will sadly never forget — the day a hair-triggered, overly aggressive, Officer Rosfeld, gunned their Antwon down in the back as he posed no risk whatsoever to the continuously firing Rosfeld. Within an instant, their son, brother, grandson and friend – their brightest light, Antwon – was extinguished.

“Today, Antwon’s family is here seeking the justice they so deserve and to assure that the light of Antwon’s memory shines forever.

“They are praying that equity and fairness will prevail in form of a conviction of the man who shot an unarmed Antwon in the back killing him. They are praying for strength and perseverance for the zealous District Attorneys who are battling to convict Rosfeld; they are praying for determination and wisdom for Judge Bicket, who will be minding the scales of Justice, assuring that this important Trial is decided on its merits, and that any and all prejudice is left outside the courthouse doors; and most of all, they are praying for the courage of the Jurors – that they be pure of heart and clear of mind in listening to and watching the undeniable objective evidence of Rosfeld’s criminality in reaching their guilty verdict.

“Antwon Rose II’s family and friends are braced for a Trial centered around their most painful loss, the one caused when Michael Rosfeld’s service weapon left an irreparable hole in their collective souls. To them and the many watching this unfold, locally and all over the Country, a conviction of Rosfeld, would be a momentous first step towards restoring justice and give this hurting family some semblance of peace.

“The family members and supporters of Antwon Rose II know the pain of their own loss, but also have the the wisdom to understand that this battle is beyond their personal circumstance and truly about eradicating Police Brutality in American culture. They know this Trial has far reaching implications and it’s integrity is relied upon by the families of the thousands upon thousands harmed or killed before Antwon was taken from them.”

FIRST WITNESS ON STAND (Tuesday, March 19 at 11:25 a.m.)

The first witness to take the stand is a deputy medical examiner from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was called to explain where the bullets his Rose. There were audible gasps and some in the courtroom cried as the prosecution showed graphic pictures of Rose’s gunshot wounds to the face, back and arm.

Gasps and tears in the courtroom in Michael Rosfeld trial as prosecution shows graphic pictures of Antwon Rose ll shot in face, back and arm

— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) March 19, 2019

TRIAL MOVING AHEAD (Tuesday, March 19 at 10:22 a.m.)

Rosfeld’s attorney told the court the shooting happened right outside of a senior living facility. He said Rose and the other young man he was with “could have gone into there and taken someone hostage” and “turned it into a SWAT situation.” He said Rosfeld was just “protecting the community.”

#UPDATE: Defense attorney said the shooting happened right outside of a Senior Living Facility. He said Rose II and other man “could have gone into there and taken someone hostage” and “turned it into a SWAT situation.” He said Rosfeld was just “protecting the community.” @KDKA

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 19, 2019

OPENING STATEMENTS CONCLUDE (Tuesday, March 19 at 10:22 a.m.)

Opening statements ended at 10:22 a.m. They lasted for about 45 minutes before the lawyers wrapped up to move on to testimony.

During their turn in front of the court, the defense said police officers like Rosfeld keep the public safe. Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey said Rosfeld didn’t wake up that morning wanting to kill anyone. Instead, he left his wife and went off to work.

Rosfeld’s defense attorney also called the place [Braddock] where the drive-by shooting happened prior to Rose’s death a “valley full of crime.” And said, “This is the type of place Rosfeld has to patrol all the time.”

The prosecutor’s opening statement centered around this statement: “Just remember all that really matters is what Michael Rosefeld knew when he pulled the trigger,” alluding to the fact he didn’t know any specifics about the weapons in the car, what really happened in the drive-by and he didn’t really know who the men were inside the car.

“What was on the line for Michael Rosfeld when he pulled the trigger?” the prosecutor asked.

#NEW: The defense attorney said police officers like Michael Rosfeld save us. Defense attorney called the place where the drive-by shooting happened (Braddock) a “valley full of crime.” And said “this is the type of place Rosfeld has to patrol all the time.” @KDKA

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 19, 2019

#NEW: Opening statements just ended at 10:22. The prosecution focused on what former officer Michael Rosfeld knew when he pulled the trigger. “What was on the line for Michael Rosfeld when he pulled the trigger?” @KDKA

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 19, 2019

People were visibly upset and sighing in the courtroom after prosecutor Dan Fitzsimmons gave his opening statement. They didn’t think he had enough passion.

The defense told the court, “They can’t find an expert to say what he did was wrong – because he’s not.” While the prosecution emphasized that Rose was running from the scene when he was shot and died within minutes.

Defense attorney quotes
-“All he did was what a trained officer is supposed to do.”
-“You as a police officer have to make a split second decision.”
-“They can’t find an expert to say what he did was wrong- because he’s not.” @KDKA #michaelrosfeld #AntwonRose

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 19, 2019

The #prosecution emphasized that #AntwonRoseII was running away from the scene. He said he died within minutes. He asked the jury to keep an open mind. #MichaelRosfeld @KDKA

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 19, 2019

The first witness then took the stand. A deputy medical examiner from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office explained where the bullets hit Rose.

OPENING STATEMENTS (Tuesday, March 19 at 9:20 a.m.)

Michael Rosfeld, Antwon Rose (Photos: Allegheny County Jail/STK, Embrace Life/Facebook)

The trial of ex-officer Rosfeld is now underway. Opening statements began just after 9 a.m.

HEAVY SECURITY (Tuesday, March 19 at 9 a.m.)

Since early Tuesday morning, there’s been a large police presence around the Allegheny County Courthouse. Police officers have been seen in patrol cars, on foot and on bikes.

City officials also brought in salt trucks to block traffic in the perimeter around the courthouse.

Police want to make sure no protests take place, like what the area saw several times last summer.

Rose’s mother has called for no protests during the trial.

ANTWON ROSE’S FAMILY ARRIVES AT COURTHOUSE (Tuesday, March 19 at 8:30 a.m.)

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Rose’s family, including his mother Michelle Kenney. arrives at the Allegheny County Courthouse ahead of opening statements.

WATCH: Family’s Arrival —

Prosecutor Dan Fitzsimmons and defense attorney Patrick Thomassey entered the building shortly before 8 a.m.

SHOW OF SUPPORT (Tuesday, March 19 at 8 a.m.)

Members of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Bend the Arc, a Jewish organization, placed handmade purple roses on trees along the sidewalks of the Allegheny County Courthouse. They were one of the many organizations showing support for Antwon Rose’s family.

(Photo Credit: KDKA Photojournalist Scott Danka)

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

TRIAL SET TO BEGIN (Tuesday, March 19 at 7 a.m.)

(KDKA/AP) — A white Pennsylvania police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager last year is headed to trial in a case that could put him behind bars for life.

Lawyers for 30-year-old former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld are expected to argue that the June shooting of Antwon Rose II was justified.

The trial starts this morning and is expected to last about a week.

Rosfeld is charged with criminal homicide for shooting 17-year-old Rose in the face, elbow and back.

The jury, picked in Dauphin County last week, will hear opening statements this morning.

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The fact that Rosfeld shot Rose is not in dispute; a jury must decide if it was justified. Trial lawyer Bill Difenderfer says the prosecution can make a very strong case on the basis of video alone. Cell phone video shows Rosfeld shooting Rose three times in the back.

“You’re going to have jurors just with common sense going, you know, why did you have to — you don’t see any weapons, you didn’t see anything. The kid was running away. You weren’t in any danger, officer. You know what I mean?” Difenderfer said.

Authorities have said Rose had an empty ammunition clip in his pants when he was killed but not a weapon.

Police say Rosfeld made conflicting statements, including that he saw something in Rose’s hand that Rosfeld thought was a gun.

Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey will argue that although Rose did not have a gun on him when he was shot, Rosfeld had reason to believe he was armed and dangerous. The defense will be hammering video taken moments before the fatal traffic stop of a drive-by shooting in which Rose was a passenger. Rose did not do the shooting, but Thomassey will argue he was a willing participant in an attempted murder.

“That’s a specific intent to kill,” Difenderfer said, “so if Mr. Thomassey can show that, it’s compelling, very compelling.”

Monday, Judge Alexander Bicket indicated he will allow all evidence related to the drive-by shooting but not evidence five hours before when Thomassey maintains that Rose was involved in an armed robbery.

The judge says he’ll decide later under which statutes he will instruct the jury. Thomassey wants to restrict their consideration to first-degree murder, which would require pre-meditation, though it’s more likely the jury will decide on third-degree charges, which would mean the officer acted with recklessness and malice.

The jury is being sequestered in a downtown hotel. Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and the judge has told them they’ll be working long days for a week or more.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Preparing For Michael Rosfeld Verdict Announcement

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 23:11:09 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Antwon Rose‘s mother has asked that people not protest during the trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld out of respect for her son, but the city is preparing for what may happen once a verdict is announced.

Pittsburgh Public Safety officials aren’t saying much about their plans to deal with the outcome of the trial.

If the jury deliberations go into Saturday as expected, city police officers will be working 12-hour shifts in case a verdict is reached. The plan is to have as many officers as possible working downtown and covering the various zones.

THE LATEST: Former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld On Trial For Antwon Rose Shooting: Day 4 Live Updates

Some new rules have already been put into place in response to protests last year after the shooting in June.

Last year, hundreds of protesters took to the streets calling for justice.

When the trial started, Rose’s mother asked for peace and so far, there have not been any demonstrations.

At the same time, city police and Visit Pittsburgh are working to accommodate dozens of NCAA National Wrestling Championship teams and thousands of fans who are visiting the city.

“We have officers on the right corners to control traffic signals and escorts for team buses and anything else that’s needed, so this didn’t catch us by surprise and it’s been daily communication and partnership,” Dan Gilman, Mayor Peduto’s chief of staff, said.

Fire Destroys Duplex In North Braddock

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 21:34:12 +0000

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NORTH BRADDOCK (KDKA) — Fire destroyed a duplex in North Braddock on Friday afternoon.

It happened around 4:15 p.m. at a side-by-side duplex on Brindley Way and Parkview Avenue.

(Photo Credit: Kym Gable/KDKA)

A resident who spoke to KDKA’s Kym Gable said the fire started in the unit next door to hers. No one was in that unit at the time the fire started.

The woman said the flames were intense, and she and the other people who were in her unit had a hard time making their way out of the home because of the smoke.

She also said they had to jump from their back porch to escape the flames.

The woman said they lost everything, but she was grateful to be alive.

Allegheny County officials say no injuries have been reported.

(Photo Credit: KDKA Photojournalist Bryce Lutz)

Firefighters from multiple departments were still putting out hotspots around 5:30 p.m.

Further details have not yet been released.

Stay With KDKA.com For More Details

Mueller Concludes Russia Probe, Delivers Report To AG Barr

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 21:10:30 +0000

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WASHINGTON (CBS) – Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s long-awaited report on his findings of the over two-year long investigation into any ties between the Russian government and Trump campaign associates, as well as any matters that arose from the investigation, has been submitted to the attorney general, William Barr.

Barr will now summarize it for lawmakers, in accordance with the law governing the special counsel. It is not clear whether the report or any part of it will be made public — that’s left to Barr’s discretion.

Visit CBSNews.com for more on this story.

Ring That Bell! After Grueling 30 Months, 8-Year-Old Darran Dunlap Marks Final Chemo Treatment

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 21:08:30 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — After a grueling 30 months, 8-year-old Darran Dunlap marked the end of her cancer treatments Friday.

Colin Dunlap, of 93.7 The Fan, says his daughter, Darran, rang the bell at Children’s Hospital, signifying the end of her treatments.

Darran was diagnosed with leukemia when in November 2016. She was 5 years old at the time and has been undergoing treatment for 30 months.

Colin posted a video on Twitter showing the hospital staff singing a celebratory song before Darran rings the bell.

Darran Dunlap 1
Leukemia 0
Final/30 innings

(after 30 long months, hopefully we’ve reached Darran’s final cancer treatment) pic.twitter.com/rrKSm2DJiQ

— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) March 22, 2019

Colin has been public about his daughter’s battle with leukemia, sharing photos and videos on social media.

One video posted in December 2016 showed Darran climbing the stairs along with the caption, “My daughter’s body is crushed by chemo but she won’t let me carry her up steps to bed. ‘I’ll make it,’ she says each night — and does.”

my daughter’s body is crushed by chemo but she won’t let me carry her up steps to bed. “I’ll make it,”she says each night-and does. so tough pic.twitter.com/4xe9VecqI0

— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) December 12, 2016

“Thank you to everyone who supported us to this point in Darran’s cancer fight. We elected to be public [with] her fight so as to hopefully raise funds and awarness and also help anyone in a similar battle press on,” Colin tweeted Friday. “If she has motivated one person to keep pushing, she’s been a hero.”

thank you to everyone who supported us to this point in Darran’s cancer fight. We elected to be public w her fight so as to hopefully raise funds and awareness and also help anyone in a similar battle press on.
If she has motivated one person to keep pushing, she’s been a hero. pic.twitter.com/jkEzuMitfM

— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) March 22, 2019

Woman Charged After 6-Hour Standoff In Beaver Co.

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 20:28:28 +0000

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RACCOON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — A woman is facing charges after a six-hour standoff in Beaver County.

It started around 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Raccoon Township.

Raccoon Township Police officers were sent to a home on Shivler Road near Gibbs Road for a complaint of terroristic threats.

The Beaver County District Attorney’s office says 43-year-old Deborah Shivler confronted police with threats and a firearm before barricading herself in the home.

Center Township Police and the Beaver County SWAT unit were called to the scene, and the Raccoon Volunteer Fire Department and Conway Volunteer Fire Department provided assistance.

According to the District Attorney’s office, tear gas was used at one point during the standoff.

Officer took Shivler into custody at 9:30 p.m.

Shivler is facing multiple charges, including terroristic threats, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice. Other charges are pending.

Northern Lights Visible In Pittsburgh This Weekend? Not Likely

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 20:22:51 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Will the northern lights be visible in Pittsburgh this weekend?

Typically, the chances to see the Aurora Borealis is rather slim, in Southwestern PA.

Occasionally, though, there is a geomagnetic storm spurred by a solar flare on the Sun that will set the stage for the Northern Lights to be visible here.

This 19 August, 2004 NASA Solar and Heliospheric Administration (SOHO) image shows a solar flare(R) erupting from giant sunspot 649. The powerful explosion hurled a coronal mass ejection(CME) into space, but it was directed toward Earth. (Photo Credit: HO/AFP/Getty Images)

Now, the geomagnetic storm that is going to impact Earth is considered a “G2 Geomagnetic Storm”, or a “moderate” one caused by a Coronal Mass Ejection, which is big solar flare.

This sends electrons from the Sun’s surface into the Earth’s atmosphere causing the nighttime light display. This energy is measure by the KP-Index, and assigned a number from 1-9, with nine being the most significant.

For Pittsburgh to see the Northern Lights, we need to see a 7 or 8 register on this index. Current projections say this will register as a 5-6, meaning the Great Lakes would have a better shot at seeing the show.

Should the Kp-Index show numbers favorable to see the Auroras in our area, you will want to find the darkest spot possible, to avoid light pollution.

The cloud cover, this weekend, shouldn’t be an issue either. Since they are called the “Northern Lights”, I will let you guess which direction to look, should we get our chance!

Beaver Falls Man Pleads Guilty In New Brighton Bank Robbery

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 20:07:17 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Beaver Falls man pleaded guilty to bank robbery charges Friday.

The robbery happened on Aug. 17, 2018, at the Huntington Bank on 3rd Avenue in New Brighton.

Fifty-year-old Ernest Dewayne Taylor handed the teller a note demanding money. He got away with $600 and fled on foot.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 17.

Taylor could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both.

Pa. AG Charges 4 People In Massage Parlor Human Trafficking Bust

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:32:54 +0000

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GREENSBURG (KDKA) — Four people have been arrested in connection with a prostitution and human trafficking bust at massage parlors in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

The state Attorney General’s Office identifies the suspects as:

Hui Xu of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Huicun Wei of Flushing, New York
Chang Yu Chen of Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Robert Delano Yerick of Delmont, Pennsylvania

They are charged with multiple counts, including, conspiracy, corruption, trafficking, prostitution and dealing in proceeds of unlawful acts.

In a press release, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro said: “These defendants ran a despicable human trafficking ring – exploiting women for their own profit and forcing them into prostitution. I won’t tolerate this type of treatment of fellow human beings, and taking down trafficking rings is a priority of my Office. We will continue to work with our state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these cases and put these criminals out of business.”

The nearly year-long investigation began in April 2018.

Investigators say the alleged victims are from China and speak in Mandarin.

Hui Xu (Photo Credit: KDKA)

According to investigators, Xu owned and operated four Tokyo Massage Parlors and Wei owned and managed Judy’s Oriental Massage Parlor.

Officials say prostitution was allegedly happening at those parlors. Wei is accused of soliciting her customers, “offering them sexual acts in exchange for money.”

WATCH: AG’s Office, State Police News Conference —

The other two defendants, Chen and Yerick are accused of transporting the victims to the massage parlors.

Authorities say Chen is accused of picking up the young women at bus stops, and Yerick allegedly took the women he picked up to the parlors owned by Xu.

Yerick is also accused of housing some of the victims in exchange for sex.

“They’re brought here on bus. They’re picked up at the bus station. They don’t speak any English. They don’t know anyone in Pennsylvania, let alone Pittsburgh. They’re shuffled and quickly moved from parlor to parlor so they don’t get too comfortable,” Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine Wymard said.

Huican Wei (Photo Credit: KDKA)

All four suspects turned themselves in at a district justice’s office in Mount Pleasant on Friday morning.

On her way to jail after her preliminary arraignment, Xu told reporters, “I did nothing wrong. It’s wrong. It’s [a] big joke.”

They are set to appear in court for preliminary hearings on April 12.

Former Pa. Attorney General Kathleen Kane Disbarred

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:37:58 +0000

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane is losing her law license, a few months after she began a jail sentence for perjury, obstruction and other counts.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued a disbarment order on Friday.

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Kane was convicted in 2016 for leaking information about a grand jury investigation to a Philadelphia newspaper and lying about it.

Allegheny Co. Controller Chelsa Wagner, Husband To Surrender On Charges In Detroit

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:17:02 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Allegheny County controller Chelsa Wagner and her husband, Khari Mosley, will turn themselves in for arraignment in Detroit this Monday, March 25.

That’s the word from the Wayne County (Michigan) prosecuting attorney, Kym Worthy, who has charged the couple based on an altercation with Detroit police at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel on March 6 following a joint symphony rap concert.

Chelsa Wagner (Photo Credit: KDKA)

Wagner has been charged with two counts of resisting arrest and obstructing the police, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of two years and one count of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 90 days.

Mosley has been charged with one count of disorderly conduct and one count of disturbing the peace. Both charges are misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 90 days.

Wagner and Mosley are represented by Detroit attorney Charles Longstreet, whom court officials tell KDKA is a familiar attorney in the criminal court system.

RELATED STORIES:

Wagner is unopposed for both renomination in the Democratic primary this May and for reelection this November.

But a felony conviction does carry a risk of removal from office.

Article VI, Section 7, of the Pennsylvania Constitution allows the removal of a local elected official by the governor when convicted of “misbehavior in office or any infamous crime,” with 2/3 vote of the state Senate.

Courts have ruled that a felony could be an infamous crime, although a felony in Michigan could be a misdemeanor in this state.

At this point, with no one convicted of anything, we are a long way from this.

Kidsburgh Kidcast: Difficult Topics

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:51:03 +0000

In this week's Kidsburgh Kidcast, Kristine Sorensen and parenting expert Dr. Debi Gilboa discuss how to talk to young kids about difficult topics.

Kidsburgh Kidcast Event Calendar: March 22, 2019

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:49:53 +0000

Check out this week's Kidsburgh Kidcast Event Calendar!

Oakland Streets Closed As 30,000 Pound MRI Scanner Installed

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:37:58 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Heads up if you are traveling in the Oakland area over the weekend.

Crews will be blocking off several roads as they lift a 30,000 pound MRI scanner into place at the Mellon Institute.

Photo Courtesy: Mellon Institute

Fifth Avenue, between Bellefield Avenue and Dithridge Street will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking from 7 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday.

The new 3-Tesla Siemens Prisma MRI scanner will be the centerpiece of a new joint Carnegie Mellon – University of Pittsburgh neuroimaging research facility.

The machine will be assembled on Fifth Avenue in front of the building, and then crews will use a large crane to lift it over the building, eight stories high. The scanner will then be lowered into the center courtyard.

The scanner is a purely research-dedicated system that will support more than $54 million in ongoing research projects at the schools.

Pedestrian traffic will also be restricted between Bellefield and Dithridge.

Pittsburgh Weather: Gusty Winds, Rain And Snow Making Early Spring Feel Like Winter

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:20:16 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — This is good March Madness watching weather right here on KDKA.

Friday will feel a bit more like late winter than early spring with gusty winds, cool temperatures and a few rain/snow showers mixing together.

The high will wind up in the lower 40s, which is about 10 degrees cooler than normal. Snow showers will drop down from the northwest along with a cold front that will keep us chilly into Saturday.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

WEATHER LINKS:
Current Conditions | School Delays & Closings | Local Radar | Weather App | Photos

The snow showers mix in with and change over to rain as they move south, but we could still see flakes mixing with rain and a coating or so in the Laurel Highlands. Winds will gust up to 35 mph this afternoon/evening with a Wind Advisory for gusts up to 50 mph in Eastern Tucker, Garrett and Somerset counties.

Saturday will bring sunshine and Sunday brings a warmup into the upper 50s.

Stay up to date with the KDKA app, which you can download here.

Picklesburgh Wins Best Specialty Food Festival

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 16:50:58 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Picklesburgh took top honors in a new reader’s choice “Best Specialty Food Festival” contest in America.

The festival won the USA Today contest.

“Thank you so much to the thousands of Pittsburghers who feel passionately about Picklesburgh and brought home another win for the City of Champions,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “Pittsburgh has embraced Picklesburgh in so many ways – by turning out in incredible numbers, creating spectacular culinary creations, impressively drinking pickle juice at lightning speeds, and most of all, embracing a uniquely Pittsburgh experience. We are so honored to have won this incredible distinction.”

Thanks in part to daily online voting by Pittsburghers, Picklesburgh was able to edge out festivals from other competitors including Miami, Houston, Louisville and Baltimore.

“Congratulations to Picklesburgh on this fantastic feat! We are so proud to partner with the PDP on hosting this world-class event that is so uniquely Pittsburgh,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “We look forward to fully celebrating this win with the entire region in July!”

Launched back in 2015 and produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Picklesburgh is a free, three-day, culinary celebration that goes beyond the dill pickle to include international dishes and handcrafted foods from local chefs that feature house-cure pickled vegetables; informative how-to demonstrations which highlight the farm-to-table movement and the rising popularity of DIY canning; fun pickle themed merchandise, live music, a “Li’l Gherkins” area with free kids’ activities, and even a competitive pickle juice drinking contest.

The festival will be returning in late July, with dates announced in the coming weeks.

Pennsylvania Jobless Rate Drops To Lowest On Record

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 16:22:41 +0000

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped in February to the lowest rate since 1976, which is as far back as the state’s records go.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.0 percent last month.

The national rate was 3.8 percent in February. Among states, Pennsylvania is tied with Michigan and New Jersey for 35th.

A survey of households found Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force grew by 8,000, as employment rose by 15,000 to a new record high above 6.2 million. Unemployment shrank by 5,000 to 261,000, its lowest level since 2000.

A separate survey of employers showed seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls were essentially flat, shrinking by 200 in February.

Friday’s figures are preliminary and could change.

Police: Woman Crashes Over Hillside After Driver Pushes Her Car Off Road

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 16:18:40 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A woman is in the hospital after police say another driver, trying to get around her, pushed her vehicle off the road, sending it crashing over a hillside in Westmoreland County.

The crash happened around 8:50 a.m. on a busy stretch of South Leechburg Hill Road in Allegheny Township.

(Photo Credit: KDKA Photojournalist Tim Lawson)

At one point, two lanes narrow to one and its in that area where police say a male motorist attempted to merge, but a female driver would not allow him. He allegedly forced her Nissan Juke off the road and into a parking lot where she hit a parked vehicle before plunging 20 feet down an embankment where she was trapped inside her car.

Police say they have spoken to several witnesses and they are now looking for a black sedan, possibly a Honda, with a loud muffler and a spoiler.

According to investigators, the car also has a badly damaged bumper from the accident and they are checking body shops.

The female driver was rescued and taken to Forbes Hospital for treatment of back pain. Her name has not been released.

If you have information on the driver of the black sedan, you are asked to give Allegheny Township Police a call at 724-845-9410.

Fire Marshal Investigating Cause Of Butler Co. Mobile Home Fire

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:15:23 +0000

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WORTH TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — Fire engulfed a mobile home in Butler County early Friday morning.

Just before 6 a.m., firefighters in Butler Co. were called to a mobile home on the corner of West Park Road and New Castle Road in Worth Township, near Slippery Rock. Neighbors of the people who live nearby saw flames and called 911.

NOW: Firefighters from several departments are on the scene of a mobile home fire on West Park Rd., in Worth Twp. in Butler Co. A ladder truck is being used to get water inside the home. #KDKA pic.twitter.com/mZeMaPF1rH

— Lisa Washington (@LisaWashing) March 22, 2019

Ryan Hanchosky, chief of the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company told KDKA’s Lisa Washington, “When we got here, the fire was already through the roof. With a mobile home, the void spaces with additions added on to it, so the fire kinda ran the ceiling, made it kind of difficult for us.”

Another challenge for firefighters was getting water to the scene.

“Our dry hydrant down at the creek, it failed us, so we had to call in multiple tankers from multiple different counties,” said Chief Hanchosky.

Web Extra Video:

Firefighters used a ladder truck to get water inside the home and to the roof. They didn’t want to miss any of the empty spaces in the mobile home.

“With multiple void spaces from the multiple additions, it made it complicated for us to work our way into the roof,” said Chief Hanchosky. “What makes it nice having the tower up in the air, you can see it from the air and see inside,” he added.

Firefighters shut down part of New Castle Road, or Route 108, because of the fire.

#UPDATE: New Castle Rd (Rt 108) is closed for a stretch because of this fire. Take Barron Road down to Kelly Road and then back up to 108 if you’re in the #SlipperyRock area this AM @KDKA @KDKAHeather pic.twitter.com/cS3PBizhSo

— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) March 22, 2019

Chief Hanchosky says the homeowners didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary before leaving for work.

“Normal routine,” Hanchosky said, “Woke up, so they said they haven’t had any problems with the house either, so state police out of Butler has been notified for the fire marshal to come out and investigate it.”

Relative Of African Dictator Admits To Counterfeiting Money In Ring With Ties To Pittsburgh

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:54:32 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A son of missionaries who later married into the family of an African dictator has admitted to his role in an international counterfeiting operation.

Ryan Gustafson admits guilt in international counterfeit currency operation headquartered in Uganda, which flooded the U.S. and Uganda with more than $2M in counterfeit FRNs: The bills were advertised, bought and sold on a DarkNet site he created https://t.co/olGGk25cI9

— WDPAnews (@WDPAnews) March 22, 2019

Ryan Gustafson, an American married to the granddaughter of the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and counterfeiting counts Thursday in Pittsburgh. The Post-Gazette reports prosecutors say Gustafson’s operation was uncovered after one of his confederates bought coffee in Pittsburgh with a fake $100 bill.

(Photo Courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office)

The U.S. Secret Service says Gustafson had originally been arrested in Uganda in 2014 when police there raided his residence and found fake money and other evidence linking him to a counterfeiting ring.

The 28-year-old Gustafson’s plea deal calls for a sentence of about six years. His lawyer is arguing for Gustafson’s release pending sentencing.

West Virginia To Receive $14.6M To Fight Opioid Addiction

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:49:00 +0000

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia will receive $14.6 million in federal funds to fight opioid addiction.

U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced the funding in a news release Thursday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The grant funding is used by states to increase access to opioid prevention, treatment and recovery services.

West Virginia has by far the highest death rate from drug overdoses in the nation.

County Worker Was Accessing Child Porn

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:41:19 +0000

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) – Authorities say a county worker in Pennsylvania used county-issued equipment to access child pornography.

The Lackawanna County district attorney’s office says Theodore Karampilas faces nearly 100 counts of possessing and disseminating child porn. It wasn’t known if the 41-year-old Scranton man has retained an attorney.

County officials say Karampilas resigned Thursday as a senior computer programmer/analyst, one day after he had been suspended. That came after authorities executed a search warrant at his home.

Authorities say officials from KIK, an instant messaging mobile app, notified federal officials that someone was downloading and disseminating child porn from Karampilas home.

Authorities found multiple external hard drives in his bedroom. They say Karampilas told them he had around 1,000 images of child porn.

Karampilas also allegedly admitted using the app on his county-issued cellphone and accessed his external hard drives using his county computer.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Expands Dog Food Recall Over Possibly Toxic Levels Of Vitamin D

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:24:30 +0000

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PITTSBURGH (CBS) — Hill’s Pet Nutrition is expanding on its nationwide recall of canned dog food with potentially toxic levels of vitamin D.

It took the action after saying it had received “a limited number of complaints of pet illnesses” related to additional products.

The expansion is the result of the same vitamin premix received from a U.S. supplier that caused its prior recall at the end of January, said Hill’s, a unit of Colgate-Palmolive. Hill’s initial recall involved 675,000 cases — or 13.5 million cans — and led to an unknown number of pet illnesses and deaths.

“We believe that hundreds, if not thousands, of pets have died or become seriously ill as a result of eating Hill’s foods with toxic levels of vitamin D,” emailed Nyran Rose Rasche, a Chicago-based attorney with Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel, which filed a class action against Hill last month.

Caitlin Gibson, a features reporter at The Washington Post, in early February tweeted that her dog had died after consuming prescription food from Hill’s and had displayed symptoms of vitamin D poisoning.

DOG OWNERS: If you feed your pup Hill’s, PLEASE check this recall notice carefully.

My beloved girl died after eating this affected prescription food & exhibiting all the symptoms of vit D poisoning.

Please share & make sure your companions are safe: https://t.co/vrjOHgX9Zs pic.twitter.com/f1EGgCwIxa

— Caitlin Gibson (@CaitJGibson) February 4, 2019

The products now being added to the recall included eight types of Science Diet and Prescription Diet canned food, as well as more units of the products recalled earlier.

Visit the Hill’s Pet Nutrition website here for a complete listing of the recalled products, including the previously recalled items and the newly recalled items.

“Our review determined that there were additional products affected by that vitamin premix, and it is for that reason that we are expanding the recall. Hill’s has received a limited number of complaints of pet illness related to some of these products,” the company said in its statement.

Consumers in the U.S. who purchased the recalled products should stop feeding it to their pets and throw it away, or return unopened cans for a refund. More information can be found on Hill’s website or by calling 1-800-445-5777.

Get Paid To Watch All The Marvel Movies!

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 14:20:51 +0000

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS Philadelphia)– Do you like Marvel movies? Do you want $1,000 just to watch Marvel movies? All you have to do is binge watch over 40 hours of Marvel superhero action, leading up to the premiere of the highly anticipated “Avengers: Endgame” on April 26.

CableTV.com is looking to pay someone $1,000 to binge watch all 20 previously released Marvel movies back-to-back. The prize will also include every Marvel Blu-Ray film and a Marvel Marathon Survival Kit.

The company is looking for someone with superhuman focus and endurance to get through the films in three phases within a two-day span. To sign up, just fill out the application form on their website, with around 200 words making your case, including your Marvel expertise and fandom along with social media platforms you are active on.

The company’s website says they are looking for someone who has an outgoing social media personality and would live tweet while watching the movies.

Here is how the movies are broken down.

Phase 1:

Iron Man (2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Thor (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The Avengers (2012)

Phase 2:

Iron Man 3 (2013)
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier(2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Ant-Man (2015)

Phase 3:

Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Black Panther (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Officials Find Missing, Endangered Westmoreland Co. Man

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 12:50:34 +0000

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GREENSBURG (KDKA) — A missing and endangered man from Westmoreland County has been found.

According to state police 73-year-old Joseph Gongo was last seen around 2 p.m. Thursday on Marguerite Lake Road in Unity Township.

(Source: Pennsylvania State Police)

He was labeled as possibly being endangered, but state police said early Friday afternoon that he had been found.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY: Missing Endangered Person Advisory UPDATE. PSP Greensburg reports Gongo has been located. The MEPA is canceled. Thanks for the RTs on the the original.

— PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) March 22, 2019

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

Tyson Foods Recalling 69,000 Pounds Of Chicken Products

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:06:09 +0000

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(CNN) — Tyson Foods is recalling chicken strips that may contain metal, federal food safety officials said Thursday.

The recall affects about 69,093 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strip products produced on November 30, 2018, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said in a news release.

Products under the recall include: Tyson fully cooked buffalo-style chicken strips in 25-ounce bags, Tyson fully cooked crispy chicken strips in 25-ounce bags and Spare Time fully cooked buffalo-style chicken strips in a 20-pound case.

(Source: tysonfoods.com)

Visit Tyson Food’s website here for more information and a full list of products

All affected products have a use-by date of Nov. 30, 2019.

FSIS discovered the problem because of two consumer complaints about extraneous materials in chicken strip products, the agency said. Consumers are urged to throw away or return products that might be impacted and not to consume them.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury from consumption of these products, FSIS said.

If you have them in your freezer, throw them away or return them to the store you purchased them from.

For more information, visit this link to the USDA’s website.

Mother Behind Bars After Allegedly Drugging, Abusing Baby

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 02:37:20 +0000

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SHARPSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) – A baby was allegedly abused by its mother, who is now behind bars.

Angela Thornton, 32-years-old of Shaprsburg, is charged with endangering the welfare of children and aggravated assault.

Photo Credit: (Allegheny County Jail)

Thornton’s 1-year-old son was taken to Children’s Hospital at the beginning of last week.

Doctors found the opioid, buprenorphine, in his bloodstream, several broken ribs and bruising on his shoulders.

Police say Thornton told the doctor that she takes eight milligrams of prescribed suboxone strips by breaking them in half, so she can take the other half later.

Thornton said there is no way her son could have got into the medication. She went on to say that the family dog could have possibly taken empty wrappers out of the garbage.

The baby’s father was also at the hospital with Thornton.

Police say he got upset because the hospital was focusing on the baby’s bruising and broken bones and told doctors his son was only given aspirin.

Thornton said she is the only one who cares for the baby around the clock and would have known if her son had broken ribs.

However, doctors told police that the person who caused the rib injuries would have known about them right away.

Doctors then said there is no logical explanation for how the drug got into the child’s system.

Thornton is currently lodged at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting her preliminary hearing.

Dollar Store In Munhall Robbed

News – CBS Pittsburgh — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 01:23:24 +0000

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MUNHALL, Pa. (KDKA) – A dollar store in Munhall was robbed Thursday evening.

Allegheny County 911 dispatchers say that officers were dispatched to the Family Dollar located on 8th Avenue in Munhall.

Authorities say they received a call shortly before 9 p.m.

The suspect fled the scene, according to police.

No injuries have been reported. Police are investigating the incident.

Stay With KDKA.com For More Details