Pa. murder suspect lunges at co-defendant in court
Deputies had to wrestle a murder suspect to the ground after he lunged at a co-defendant inside a northeastern Pennsylvania courtroom.
Luzerne County sheriff's deputies cleared the courtroom Wednesday morning after tackling 33-year-old Michael Simonson.
Simonson lunged at 32-year-old Elvis Riccardi as the pair were in court for a pretrial hearing.
Both men are charged with killing 34-year-old Donald Skiff in April 2009. Prosecutors say the suspects robbed and beat Skiff to death before setting his truck on fire. The Plymouth man's body was found more than a month later.
Simonson, of Plains Township, and Riccardi, of Wilkes-Barre, had requested separate trials. Court documents indicate each man blamed the other for the slaying.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/pennsylvania/ci_15675469
Bookmarks