First-Degree Murder Trial Begins for Defendant, 16, Charged in Slaying of Pittsburgh Law Student
Jury selection took place Monday and opening arguments began Tuesday in the trial of a 16-year-old being prosecuted as an adult in Pennsylvania in the slaying of a 28-year-old law student.
James Wallmuth III was shot to death in York on July 28, 2010 in what the government contends was a botched robbery attempt involving a group of young people. Jordan Wallick, who was then 15, is now on trial in the Court of Common Pleas case, accused of trying to steal Wallmuth’s cell phone, according to the York Daily Record.
The University of Pittsburgh law student, who was working as an intern for the York County district attorney’s office had just stepped out of a local bar around 11 p.m. to use the phone when he was shot with a .45-caliber handgun.
Chief deputy prosecutor Karen Comery has said she expects three co-defendants of Wallick to plead guilty and testify against him, reports the York Dispatch.
Wallick faces multiple charges including first-degree murder, second-degree murder and robbery, among others.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Pittsburgh Law Student Shot and Killed While Talking on Phone Outside Bar”
ABAJournal.com: “Teen Charged in Pittsburgh Law Student’s Robbery and Murder”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge OKs Law Student’s Dying Declaration as Evidence, But Nixes MySpace Page Related to Defendant”
