Two jailed on homicide charges
From left, Tavian Hooper and Jamaal Greene
Tavian Hooper
Jamaal Greene
Alexis Barnett, who was fatally shot on a city street May 4
Washington police, the Washington County district attorney and a judge took the extraordinary step of sealing documents related to the arrest of two men jailed on homicide charges Thursday to shield those who have discussed the case with law enforcement and have been threatened.
One of the men charged had been picked up by investigators for questioning the day after the May 4 shooting that killed 19-year-old Alexis Barnett of Washington and wounded her 21-year-old friend.
Tavian Hooper, 18, and Jamaal Greene, 18, both of Washington, are facing homicide and other charges, according to the Washington County jail website. Authorities said the charges and court documents were placed under seal and they would not say if the men were charged in connection with Barnett’s killing.
Greene was one of two men taken into custody the day after Barnett’s killing and was placed in Washington County jail on other charges. Hooper was placed in jail May 26 on marijuana charges.
Greene faces charges of homicide and criminal conspiracy, while Hooper is charged with homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, criminal conspiracy and former convict not to own a firearm, according to the jail website. Both continue to be held in Washington County jail without bond.
On Thursday, Washington County Judge Michael Lucas, at the request of the prosecution, signed court orders sealing the arrest warrants, criminal complaints and affidavits of probable cause in the cases against Hooper and Greene in considering “public safety, the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the safety of the informants and the extraordinary circumstances,” according to testimony of city police Lt. Daniel Stanek.
According to the order, the city police detective testified in court that investigators have encountered difficulty pursuing the investigation because witnesses aren’t cooperating, ongoing threats have been made to those who have met with police and “the fact that other potential individuals involved in the conspiracy to harm the intended victim(s) may be unknown and remain at liberty.”
Lucas wrote that he had “no less restrictive alternative” than sealing the arrest warrants filed against Hooper and Greene for 60 days.
The affidavits of probable cause, which typically give details of the investigation leading to an arrest, will not be disclosed to Hooper, Greene or their defense attorneys until the defendants’ preliminary hearing.
Washington District Judge Robert Redlinger, or another magistrate who presides over the men’s arraignments, can give them only a copy of the form known as a criminal complaint which lists only the barest details of the charges, the date, jurisdiction and the name or names of victims.
Lucas’ order never mentions Barnett’s name, and police and District Attorney Gene Vittone would not dicuss the charges against Hooper or Greene.
Barnett was walking in the 1100 block of Bruce Street with a group of friends when she was shot in the back, possibly by someone in a small silver vehicle. Her friend, Jasmine Young, 21, of Washington, was wounded. Police believe a man who was walking with the group was the target.
Washington police also declined comment and said the district attorney’s office was handling media inquiries.
Court records can be sealed, but only after a hearing on the reasons for doing so and after a Common Pleas Court judge issues an order that spells out findings that “show good cause” for not making the records public, said Melissa Melewsky, attorney for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. That order must be public to allow for a challenge of the reasons for the closure.
After requests by the Observer-Reporter, copies of Lucas’ orders sealing the arrest records of Hooper and Greene were provided.
Staff writers Gideon Bradshaw and Kathie O. Warco contributed to this report.