The slow walk toward a final resolution in Richard McAnulty’s appeal of his murder conviction takes another step today. McAnulty is due to file a brief with State Superior Court outlining his case for a new trial.
McAnulty, who is now 62 years old, was convicted of first degree murder and burglary in 2011 for shooting to death 39-year-old Harry Mears III the year before. He found emails on his computer between his wife and Mears and drove from his home outside of Homer City to Mears’ home in Southwest Greensburg, and fatally shot Mears as he begged for his life. McAnulty then drove back to his Center Township home and was waiting to surrender, sitting on his front porch when police arrived to arrest him.
In his appeal, McAnulty claims his attorney erred and that Judge Debra Pezze should not have allowed Diane McAnulty to testify about the emails, which were related to an affair she’d had with Mears. Judge Pezze has since passed away.
McAnulty is serving life in prison without parole.
