A motions hearing is scheduled before Indiana County President Judge William Martin today for 45-year-old Michael Eades Jr. of Tyrone, who has been portrayed by his three co-defendants as the ringleader in the execution-style murder of a Blairsville man in September of 2014.
Attorney Robert Manzi Jr. has filed two omnibus pretrial motions including one that seeks to strike statements made by Eades to authorities after his arrest. IN p[otentially damaging testimony at a preliminary hearing last June, Eades’ stepbrother, Kevin King said he stabbed 37-year-old Tyron Howard with a sword after Eades handed it to him and said “stab him.” King said he stabbed Howard twice before Eades grabbed the sword and stabbed Howard as well. King said the two other co-defendants, Stanley Boynton and Deandre Jones Jr., stood by but did not stab Howard, although Jones tied up Howard’s wrists and ankles with an extension cord.
Indiana County District Attorney Pat Dougherty has notified the court he will not seek the death penalty against Eades, who was allegedly angry with Howard over drug money. Eades felt that Howard was withholding money in a multimillion dollar drug operation within Indiana County.
Attorney Manzi said at the hearing last June that the prosecution doesn’t have the evidence to connect Eades with the murder, that there are discrepancies in the testimony of the co-defendants, and that King and Stanley Boynton were offered plea deals in exchange for their testimony.
Today’s hearing is set for 8:30 this morning. The trial for Michael Eades Jr. is scheduled to begin on June 19th.
