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Fayette DA to seek death penalty in alleged murder-for-hire

By Zach Petroff for the Observer-Reporter 2 min read
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Calvin Huffman
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Fayette County prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Calvin Huffman, 37, of Uniontown. Huffman is accused of paying a 14-year-old in cash and drugs to fatally shooting Anthony Jones, 38, of Uniontown in June 2023.

The Fayette County district attorney will seek the death penalty against a Uniontown man accused of paying a teenager to kill someone.

Based on the charges filed against Calvin Huffman, 37, of Uniontown, District Attorney Mike Aubele cited three reasons to seek a death sentence: that Huffman paid another person to kill someone; has a history of violence; and the alleged victim’s death bolstered Huffman’s drug business.

Huffman is accused of paying then-14-year-old Antonyo Owens $5,000 in cash and three large bags of marijuana to shoot Anthony Jones, 38, of Uniontown, on June 6, 2023. According to the initial investigation, law enforcement said they also believe that Owens, who was charged as an adult with criminal homicide, was able to evade capture for five days because of assistance from Huffman.

Under Pennsylvania law, prosecutors have the ability to seek the death penalty in limited instances, and only if a defendant is convicted of first-degree murder. Those instances are referred to as “aggravating circumstances.” Prosecutors must file notice of those alleged aggravating circumstances once the case is logged in common pleas court.

In Huffman’s case, Aubele noted that Huffman “has a significant history of felony convictions involving the use or threat of violence to the person.”

Among Huffman’s past convictions in Fayette County are a 2005 guilty plea to aggravated assault, and a 2013 conviction for a shooting outside a Uniontown bar.

In July, Huffman pleaded guilty to 16 charges in Bedford County associated with the kidnapping of a man and an attack in a convenience store, according to the Altoona Mirror.

Earlier this month, Huffman was charged with intent to escape after police said he planned an “elaborate” escape from the Fayette County jail.

Huffman’s formal arrangement is secluded for Oct. 17 before Judge Nancy D. Vernon.

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