#2– Three men charged in 2012 killing of Timothy McNerney
Timothy McNerney
Sheriff’s deputies escort the three men involved in the robbery and killing of Washington & Jefferson College student Timothy McNerney from their sentencing at Washington County Courthouse. From left are Eric Wells, Adam Hankins and Troy Simmons Jr.
Just as jury selection was set to begin for the Timothy McNerney homicide trial in May, the three defendants in the case accepted plea agreements.
Adam Hankins, 24, of Washington, Troy LaMonte Simmons Jr., 23, of East Pittsburgh, and Eric Dante Wells, 25, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty to robbery. The three also were found guilty of third-degree murder during a nonjury trial before visiting Judge Edward Borkowski. Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone said all parties agreed about the evidence that was to be presented in the case, and Borkowski was left to determine the degree of the homicide charge.
McNerney, 21, a Washington & Jefferson College football player from Butler, died in October 2012 across the street from campus after he and a teammate, Zach DeCicco of Jefferson Hills, were assaulted by the defendants as they were walking back to campus from a local tavern. McNerney died from an injury to the back of his head suffered when he was knocked to the ground near South College and East Maiden streets.
McNerney’s family was present during the hearing and agreed to the plea deal.
The defendants were sentenced in August to varying prison terms. Wells, who delivered the blow that killed McNerney during the robbery, was sentenced to 13 to 31 years in prison. Hankins was sentenced to nine to 25 years for his role in the murder and robbery, while Simmons faces seven to 20 years. Borkowski decided to put a “long tail” on the sentences so the three men are more likely to spend closer to the maximum in jail. The three also will be on probation for five years upon their release and must pay a prorated portion of $11,000 in funeral expenses to the McNerney family.