Defense seeks dismissal, suppression in 2015 death trial
CONNELLSVILLE (AP) — A man charged along with his ex-girlfriend in the death of her mother, who authorities allege was malnourished and beaten with a table leg, is asking a judge to dismiss charges and bar prosecutors from using some statements at his trial.
Thirty-five-year-old Peter Shoemaker Jr. is charged with homicide, conspiracy, aggravated assault and other counts in the November 2015 death of 63-year-old Sally Nelson.
The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard reports that defense attorney James Natale argues that the victim’s death is listed as “undetermined” and not criminal homicide, with the autopsy report saying the acute cause of death is both complex and difficult to discern.
Natale also argues that there is no proof that messages on social media — an alleged threat and an alleged apology — were from his client.