EAI Community :Truck driver accused of killing pregnant Amish woman due for hearing in Pennsylvania

2025-05-05 02:58:47source:Blockchains Financecategory:News

MEADVILLE,EAI Community  Pa. (AP) — A truck driver accused of killing a pregnant Amish woman in her rural home in February was expected to be in court on Friday as a Pennsylvania judge considers whether investigators have sufficient evidence to advance the charges toward trial.

Shawn C. Cranston, 52, is accused of killing Rebekah Byler and her unborn child inside the Byler home near Spartansburg on Feb. 26.

District Judge Amy Nicols is scheduled to preside over the preliminary hearing in the Crawford County Courthouse to decide if there is enough evidence to support those charges, as well as accusations of burglary and trespassing.

Byler, 23, had suffered head and neck wounds when her husband and a family friend found her in the living room. The couple’s two young children were home but unharmed, police said.

Byler’s defense attorney, public defender Gary Alan Kern, did not respond to requests for comment this week. Crawford County District Attorney Paula C. DiGiacomo declined to comment.

In court documents filed for a search of the murder scene, state police said they recovered guns, ammunition, knife parts and other items. Authorities have not indicated a possible motive.

READ MORE Biden opposes plan to sell US Steel to a Japanese firm, citing the need for ‘American steel workers’Pennsylvania governor unveils plan to cut greenhouse gases, boost renewables in big energy producerSpring for Amish people in Pennsylvania means ‘mud sales,’ from pitchforks to pies

Cranston lives in Corry, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Spartansburg. He has been in the county jail without bond since being arrested March 2.

Byler appeared to have cutting wounds to her neck and head, police said, and the criminal complaint accused Cranston of “shooting her in the head and/or slashing her throat.”

More:News

Recommend

Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class

Now wouldn’t this be a treat: Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft back together...as members of the Pro

Detroit Lions fall one half short of Super Bowl, but that shouldn't spoil this run

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Once upon a time, starry-eyed dreamers came to California in search of gold. O

Tax season 2024 opens Monday. What to know about filing early, refunds and more.

Tax season 2024 opens on Monday, setting off a race against the clock to file your 2023 return by Ap