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New trial date set for Donora resident

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Terry Lee Newton leaves the Washington County Courthouse Monday accompanied by sheriff’s deputies after his trial was postponed.

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Terry Lee Newton

A Donora man charged with attempted homicide plus four other felonies and misdemeanors was scheduled for a nonjury trial Monday morning in Washington County Court, but he changed his mind and requested a jury trial.

Terry Lee Newton, 28, is accused of striking Raven Randall, 25, of Charleroi, with a chest freezer and dehumidifier Aug. 17, 2016. Unconscious, she was taken by helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital with injuries including a punctured liver.

Krystal Randall, the victim’s sister who was present at the time, told police Raven Randall refused to give Newton a cigarette.

Newton waived his right to a jury trial June 27, and as Judge Michael Lucas prepared to begin the bench trial Monday, he informed Newton of his right to participate in jury selection and explained how it would proceed.

Newton then told the judge he preferred to have jurors hear his case.

“I understand everybody’s right to a jury trial, but we do have a lot of witnesses here today,” First Assistant District Attorney Dennis Paluso told the judge, adding there have been “extensive discussions” with Newton’s privately retained attorney, Gary Graminski.

“We’re ready today,” said Paluso, who had assembled four witnesses to testify, plus medical records to submit as evidence in the case.

The judge told Newton he found it “somewhat odd … that suddenly you had a change of heart,” but granted his request and set a schedule that includes jury selection next month.

Sheriff’s deputies returned Newton to the Washington County jail, where he is being held on $1 million bond.

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