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Thread: Jack E. Turner Sentenced to 45 to 90 Years in Prison in 2019 PA Slaying of Shannon Whitman and Darrin Whitman

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    Jack E. Turner Sentenced to 45 to 90 Years in Prison in 2019 PA Slaying of Shannon Whitman and Darrin Whitman




    Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Crawford County Double Murder Suspect

    Erie News Now

    Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against the suspect charged in a Crawford County double homicide, according to District Attorney Francis Schultz.

    Schultz filed a Notice of Aggravating Circumstances in the case against Jack E. Turner, 21.

    “The purpose of the Notice of Aggravating Circumstances is to put the defendant on notice that the Commonwealth will be seeking the death penalty against him and to provide the defendant with sufficient time and information to prepare for the sentencing hearing if the defendant is convicted of murder of the first degree in the killings of the victims,” said Schultz.

    Turner shot and killed his step-mother Shannon Whitman, 49, and his brother Darrin Whitman, 10, according to investigators. It happened Aug. 10, 2019, in the Whitman’s home in Guys Mills. Investigators said both were both shot in the head and were discovered dead by Turner's father when he came home from work.

    Turner stole several items from the victims' home, including his father's .22 caliber rifle, Shannon Whitman's .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a safe, and prescription medications, according to the criminal complaint. The two guns police say he stole were not one of the weapons Turner allegedly used in the homicide, according to the Crawford County District Attorney.

    Turner was initially charged Aug. 11 with the theft of the Whitman’s 2009 Lincoln MKS vehicle. He was arraigned on the homicide charges Oct. 7.

    Turner was also charged with the robbery of a Kwik Fill in Millcreek Township on Aug. 11, and for stealing a car from the driveway of a Titusville home Aug. 9. Police said the vehicle was later found with damage at a gravel pit.

    After a nationwide manhunt, law enforcement arrested Turner at a bus station in Charleston, West Virginia. He was brought back to Crawford County on Aug. 28, where he has been sitting in the prison ever since.

    https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/41...murder-suspect
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Turner's attorneys want statements made to police tossed

    By Keith Gushard
    Meadville Tribune

    Attorneys for a Cochranton man charged with killing his stepmother and half brother want statements he made to police tossed out as evidence against him.

    Whether those statements can be used in his upcoming double-homicide trial will be decided by a Crawford County judge.

    Jack E. Turner, 22, is charged by Pennsylvania State Police with killing Shannon Whitman, 49, and Darrin Whitman, 10, during an Aug. 10, 2019, burglary of the Whitman home near Guys Mills.

    Turner appeared in person at Tuesday's hearing before Crawford County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Stevens. The Tribune was the only media to attend the hearing.

    Turner has been held in the Crawford County jail for more than a year since his arrest in August 2019 in West Virginia with his trial now scheduled for early 2021 in county criminal court.

    Wearing blue county jail-issued clothing, Turner was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs by sheriff's deputies. Security was tight in the courtroom with five deputies on hand initially and three staying during the proceeding.

    Turner’s lawyers want to suppress a statement he made to Pennsylvania State Police investigators at the South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility in Charleston, West Virginia, on Aug. 15, 2019. Turner, the subject of a nationwide manhunt following the crime, had been arrested the previous day in Charleston by the U.S. Marshal Service and Charleston Police Department.

    Trooper Chad Resetar, a criminal investigator with the state police, was the only person to testify at Tuesday's hearing. Resetar stated he and Cpl. Christopher Wingard conducted an audio recorded interview with Turner that lasted about one hour and 20 minutes.

    Resetar testified Turner first stated he couldn't talk to police without an attorney.

    Turner was advised police were turning on the recorder and he was read his Miranda rights, Resetar testified. Turner and both troopers signed the Miranda rights warning acknowledgment which included that Turner was waiving his rights, Resetar testified.

    Under cross-examination, Resetar testified the troopers talked with Turner for approximately nine minutes before his Miranda rights were read and the waiver of those rights signed.

    Resetar also testified under cross-examination that Turner "referenced wanting to speak with an attorney multiple times" prior to the Miranda rights portion of the interview.

    Resetar testified he then consulted via phone with Crawford County District Attorney Francis Schultz. Resetar testified Schultz advised the troopers to read Turner his Miranda rights and if Turner agreed to waive them, to proceed with the interview.

    Michael Waltman, one of Turner's defense attorneys, told Stevens the interview of Turner and its recording should be suppressed since Turner had asked for a lawyer.

    "As soon as he (Turner) did, all questions should have stopped," Waltman said. "It's an incredibly simple issue."

    Owen Seman, another of Turner's defense attorneys, said any evidence obtained by state police from Turner's Facebook account shouldn't be admitted either.

    The search warrant that state police obtained to review Turner’s Facebook account for evidence was based on statements Turner made during the Aug. 15, 2019, interview with state police, Seaman said.

    Stevens issued no ruling on the suppression issues until he reviews the audio recording as well as its transcript.

    Once the interview transcript is docketed with the court, Turner's lawyers will have 21 days to file a brief in support of suppressing the statement and recording, Stevens ordered. The Crawford County District Attorney's Office then will have 14 days to respond with Turner's defense team then given seven days to respond to the DA's brief, the judge ruled.

    Waltman asked that the interview recording and its transcript be sealed by the court.

    Stevens made no ruling on sealing the recording and transcript, citing a review of the law.

    However, the judge did rule that if any filing is made seeking a copy of the recording or its transcript, a court hearing then would be convened on that matter.

    Stevens' order also pushed Turner's trial to the January 2021 criminal trial term of county court.

    Turner is scheduled to be tried on two felony counts of homicide, one felony count of burglary, three felony counts of theft, and one misdemeanor count of theft.

    In addition to allegedly killing his stepmother and half brother, Turner is accused by police of stealing a .22-caliber rifle, a .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun, miscellaneous items valued at $185, and a silver 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan from the Whitman home.

    Turner could face the death penalty if he’s convicted of homicide. In February, District Attorney Schultz filed notice with the court that his office will seek the death penalty in the event of a conviction.

    The notice said the death penalty is being sought because the killings were committed during the commission of a felony, there was more than one murder, and one of the victims was a child younger than age 12.

    https://www.meadvilletribune.com/new...5b4285295.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Man accused in 2019 double homicide faces trial this fall

    By Keith Gushard
    Meadville Tribune

    A Cochranton man accused of a 2019 double homicide is set to stand trial in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas this fall — more than two years after his alleged crimes.

    The trial of Jack E. Turner now is scheduled for September following a brief court hearing Monday before Judge Mark Stevens. Turner's defense team had filed a motion to continue the trial from the June criminal trial term of county court, which was granted by Stevens.

    Turner, who turns 23 on Wednesday, is charged with Aug. 10, 2019, deaths of his stepmother, Shannon Whitman, 49, and his half brother, Darrin Whitman, 10. Pennsylvania State Police allege Turner fatally shot the two during a burglary of the Whitman home in Randolph Township.

    Judge Stevens' order continuing the trial noted jury selection in the case possibly could begin in early September ahead of the trial term. The September term of county criminal court runs Sep. 13-24.

    The order states the trial also will have to comply with social distancing and other requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as juror availability.

    A status conference regarding any pretrial issues also will be scheduled for late May or early June, according to the order.

    Turner has been held in the Crawford County jail in Saegertown since his arrest in West Virginia in August 2019. The subject of a nationwide manhunt, he was arrested Aug. 14 in Charleston by the U.S. Marshal Service and Charleston Police Department.

    Turner is scheduled to be tried on two felony counts of homicide, one felony count of burglary, three felony counts of theft, and one misdemeanor count of theft.

    In addition to allegedly killing his stepmother and half brother, Turner is accused by police of stealing a .22-caliber rifle, a .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun, miscellaneous items valued at $185, and a silver 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan from the Whitman home.

    The Crawford County District Attorney's Office plans to seek the death penalty for Turner, if he is convicted at trial. In February 2020, the office filed a notice of aggravating circumstances with the court.

    The notice of aggravating circumstances said the death penalty is sought because the killings were committed during the commission of a felony, there was more than one murder, and one of the victims was a child younger than age 12.

    https://www.meadvilletribune.com/new...9dcfcd1cf.html

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    Turner trial could take three weeks, with September or October start

    By Keith Gushard
    Meadville Tribune

    The double homicide trial for Jack Turner may take as long as three weeks, but whether it begins in September or October still is to be determined.

    At a status conference Wednesday morning before Crawford County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Stevens, attorneys for both sides agreed with the judge that jury selection alone would take about a week.

    Jury selection in the case is expected to be lengthy as the Crawford County District Attorney’s Office plans to seek the death penalty for Turner, if he is convicted at trial.

    A pool of 350 to 500 jurors normally is called for potential jury selection during an entire two-week criminal trial term in county court. The last Crawford County potential death penalty case was in 2012 and used a pool of 270 jurors.

    Turner, 23, is scheduled to go on trial this fall for the shooting deaths of his stepmother, Shannon Whitman, 49, and his half brother, Darrin Whitman, 10. Pennsylvania State Police allege Turner fatally shot the two during an an Aug. 10, 2019, burglary of the Whitman home in Randolph Township. In addition to allegedly killing the two, Turner is accused by police of stealing a .22-caliber rifle, a .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun, miscellaneous items valued at $185, and a silver 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan from the Whitman home.

    In February 2020, the DA's office filed a notice of aggravating circumstances with the court. The notice said the death penalty is sought because the killings were committed during the commission of a felony, there was more than one murder, and one of the victims was a child younger than age 12.

    Crawford County District Attorney Francis Schultz told Stevens that he anticipated it will take four to five days to present the commonwealth's case against Turner. Schultz said he expects to call between 25 to 30 witnesses in the case.

    Turner's defense team of Michael Waltman and Owen Seman said their presentation then will take approximately two days of testimony. They also said much of the defense's case will be based on their cross-examination of the commonwealth's witnesses.

    If Turner is convicted, testimony in the penalty phase would take approximately four days. Schultz said the prosecution's presentation of testimony in the penalty phase would be up to two days while Seman said the defense's presentation would be two days as well.

    Turner was present in the courtroom, seated with his attorneys at the defense table. He was clad in Crawford County Correctional Facility-issued blue prison scrubs and a white surgical-style mask over his face to prevent potential COVID-19 infection. He was shackled in both handcuffs and legcuffs during his court appearance. Turner did not address the court directly during Wednesday's status conference.

    Meanwhile, the start date for jury selection followed by the trial remains to be determined.

    Defense attorneys Waltman and Seman said they still are preparing their case and may not have an expert witness available until late October due to both health and travel issues.

    In an order issued Wednesday, Stevens set late October as the best date at the time, though a specific date will be determined later by court order.

    Additionally, the order states if the October time period doesn't work for witnesses on either side, attorneys are to file notice with the court immediately and Turner's trial could move up to the September criminal trial term.

    Stevens' order also allows Turner's defense team to seek records of Pennsylvania State Police responding to calls to Whitman family residences when Turner was at the addresses. Defense attorneys are to provide time period dates by Friday.

    The defense had sought a subpoena of the records for possible mitigating circumstances in the case, Seman said.

    "We're trying to piece together Mr. Turner's life," Seman told the judge as to why the records are sought.

    A second, separate order by Stevens addresses a defense request of cellphone records of two phones owned by the Whitmans. Turner's defense attorneys want access to AT&T cellphone records from Aug. 8 through Aug. 11, 2019. One phone was Shannon Whitman's and the other phone was owned by Scott Whitman, but was in the custody of Darrin Whitman.

    The order notes the records apparently are based in California and AT&T has not compiled with the subpoena by citing California public utility regulations that require written consent of the account holder. The order said the defense is seeing records on incoming and outgoing calls, text messages and voicemails as well as cellphone tower usage to the extent the information is available. Stevens' order also states the court also notes AT&T has a right to be heard on the issue and will schedule a hearing at a date to be determined.

    Stevens also told the attorneys that he plans to schedule a status conference for the case to set deadlines and dates for pretrial submissions.

    Following Wednesday's court action, Turner was returned to the county jail in Saegertown where he has been held since his arrest in West Virginia in August 2019. He was the subject of a nationwide manhunt following the alleged killings and was arrested Aug. 14, 2019, in Charleston, West Virginia, by the U.S. Marshal Service and Charleston Police Department.

    https://www.meadvilletribune.com/new...24b936e0e.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Turner double homicide trial planned for October

    By Keith Gushard
    Meadville Tribune

    The double homicide trial for Jack Turner is scheduled to begin in October in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas.

    Judge Mark Stevens issued a scheduling order Monday setting jury selection to begin Oct. 4 with the trial expected to open Oct. 25. However, Stevens' order also noted the schedule remains tentative at this point. The Tribune was the only media to attend Monday's status conference hearing which lasted 45 minutes.

    Turner, 23, is going on trial for the August 2019 shooting deaths of his stepmother, Shannon Whitman, 49, and his half brother, Darrin Whitman, 10.

    Pennsylvania State Police allege Turner fatally shot the two during a burglary of the Whitman home in Randolph Township on Aug. 10, 2019. Turner also is accused by police of stealing a .22-caliber rifle, a .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun, miscellaneous items valued at $185, and a silver 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan from the Whitman home.

    Jury selection is anticipated to be lengthy as the Crawford County District Attorney's Office has filed notice it will seek the death penalty for Turner if he is convicted at trial.

    In a February 2020 court filing, the DA’s office filed a notice of aggravating circumstances saying the death penalty is sought because the killings were committed during the commission of a felony, there was more than one murder, and one of the victims was a child younger than age 12.

    Stevens told Crawford County District Attorney Francis Schultz and Turner's defense lawyers Michael Waltman and Owen Seman that he anticipated a total pool of jurors of around 240. All potential jurors would be given a general orientation on Oct. 4.

    The potential jurors then would be scheduled in groups of about 15, starting Oct. 5, Stevens said. Potential jurors would be questioned individually by the judge as well as by Schultz and Turner's defense team.

    Stevens told the attorneys that he anticipated the trial then would open Oct. 25.

    Turner's trial is projected to take as long as three weeks.

    Turner was seated with his attorneys at the defense table at Monday's hearing. He was dressed in Crawford County Correctional Facility-issued blue prison scrubs and a surgical-style mask over his face to prevent potential COVID-19 spread. He was shackled in both handcuffs and legcuffs, and did not speak.

    Waltman told Stevens that a subpoena issue regarding a defense request of cellphone records of two phones owned by the Whitmans had been resolved.

    Waltman said AT&T was cooperating with getting the defense access to cellphone records and no separate county court hearing was required on the matter.

    Waltman and Seman had subpoenaed AT&T for records from Aug. 8-11, 2019, for two cellphones — one was Shannon Whitman’s and the other was owned by Scott Whitman, but was in the custody of Darrin Whitman.

    At a hearing last month, Stevens issued an order noting those phone records apparently were based in California and AT&T had not complied with the subpoena by citing California public utility regulations that require written consent of the account holder. Stevens’ order also stated AT&T had a right to be heard on the issue and would schedule a hearing if necessary.

    https://www.meadvilletribune.com/new...25ce862dd.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  6. #6
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    Turner admits guilt, gets sentenced in double homicide

    By Keith Gushard
    The Meadville Tribune

    A Cochranton man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to decades in state prison for killing his stepmother and half brother more than two years ago.

    Jack Turner, 23, entered guilty pleas in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas Thursday to two counts of third-degree murder as well as one count of burglary in connection with the deaths of his stepmother, Shannon Whitman, 49, and his half brother, Darrin Whitman, 10.

    The Meadville Tribune was the only media outlet in attendance today when Turner entered his guilty pleas before Judge Mark Stevens.

    Turner then was sentenced by Stevens to a total of 45 to 90 years in prison as part of a negotiated plea agreement.

    A plea and sentencing agreement was reached late Wednesday afternoon between Turner, his defense attorneys and the Crawford County District Attorney’s Office.

    Turner had been scheduled to go on trial next month in county court on what would have been a potential death penalty case. Jury selection was set to start Oct 4.

    In 2019, Turner was charged by Pennsylvania State Police with the Aug. 10, 2019, shootings of his stepmother and half brother at the Whitman home in Randolph Township.

    The District Attorney’s Office filed notice in February of this year it would seek the death penalty for Turner if he was convicted at trial.

    https://www.meadvilletribune.com/new...3ca6e86f3.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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