Judge: No bail for man charged in tattoo shop owner’s death
GREENSBURG (AP) – A Western Pennsylvania judge ruled a man charged in the shooting death of a tattoo shop owner must await his trial in jail.
Forty-four-year-old Christopher Patterson of Vandergrift was charged in the March 13 death of 43-year-old Kevin Croney. Authorities said he killed the victim during an argument at the True Image Tattoo Studio.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported a Westmoreland County judge said Friday that Patterson could be convicted of first-degree murder and was therefore ineligible for bail.
Defense attorney Pat Thomassey argued that the case involved two friends who “scuffled” and was either voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors said they are awaiting results of DNA testing, which Thomassey said could show the victim had hold of his client’s gun before it discharged.