Judge Orders Separate Trials In Pottstown Murder
POTTSTOWN PA – Two men charged with committing murder outside a Norristown cafe in March 2013 will be tried separately, following a ruling by a Montgomery County court judge, The Pottstown Mercury newspaper reported Friday (Jan. 24, 2014).
Maurice Laverne “Reece” Andrews Jr., 20, sought and won a trial severance from President Judge William J. Furber Jr. after a pretrial hearing, according to the story by Mercury reporter Carl Hessler Jr. It means he will not be tried with his cousin and alleged co-conspirator, Michael Romain Hinton, 27, for the “gunshot slaying” of Victor Enrique Bonilla Baez. Baez and Andrews were said to have been feuding during several months.
Andrews’ attorney argued a jury would be confused by potential evidence to be presented during a joint trial. Both men are charged with first-, second- and third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and firearms violations. Hinton is said to have made incriminating statements that link Andrews to the murder.
The trials are expected to start later this year.
- Read the story by Hessler, titled “Judge orders separate trials for two accused in Pottstown murder” and published Friday by The Mercury, here.
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