In Westmoreland County Court yesterday, 56-year-old William Wano of Derry pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and tampering with evidence in a plea bargain which allows him to avoid prison time. Charges of hindering apprehension and conspiracy were dropped, and Wano will serve two years of probation.
The incident happened in March. Wano admitted tossing a pistol into the lake at the Derry Rod & Gun Club after the gun had been fired at a party in Salem Township. Wano’s son had taken the gun to the party and given it to a friend, who fired into the ground to stop an argument between some party-goers. No one was injured.
Wano confessed that he’d discussed the incident with his wife and son and then took the pistol to the lake and threw it in. It was recovered the next day by divers. Jenny Wano is also facing charges and will likely enter Westmoreland County’s ARD program and their 19-year-old son, Cole, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 12th on charges of unlicensed possession of a firearm and prohibited possession of a firearm.
