Ray Shetler Jr. testified on his own behalf yesterday at his murder trial in Westmoreland County Court, telling the jury he shot at Saint Clair Township Police Officer Lloyd Reed Jr. only after he had been shot at four times, and admitting that he shot to kill. He said he did not know Reed was a police officer.
After several potential rebuttal witnesses from the prosecution today, closing arguments are expected and the jury will begin deliberations.
Shetler testified that he swam across the Conemaugh River to escape after the shooting, but passed out when he realized he’d been shot. He said he tried to steal a pickup truck from the power plant nearby so he could drive back into New Florence and talk to police.
The 33-year-old Shetler was one of four defense witnesses offered by attorney Mark Daffner. Shetler’s girlfriend, Kristen Luther, said he had raised his arms to surrender as Reed ordered him to drop his rifle, but as he approached Reed, the officer began firing and Shetler returned fire after he was hit. She, too, insisted that Shetler did not know Reed was a police officer and said she shouted at Reed not to shoot and that Shetler was not a threat. Questioned by District Attorney John Peck, Luther affirmed a Facebook post she made last September saying she would marry Shetler if he is acquitted.
D.A. Peck is expected to push for a conviction for first degree murder in his final argument. He will seek the death penalty.
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