The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case today with a final witness in the Ray Shetler Jr. murder trial.
The 33-year-old Shetler is charged with first and third degree murder in the shooting death of Saint Clair Township police officer at a home in New Florence in November of 2015.
In testimony yesterday, former state police investigator Michael McElfresh described two interviews he conducted with Shetler, once right after the shooting in Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center where he was being treated for a shoulder wound, and once two days after the shooting. After initially denying that he knew Reed was a police officer, Shetler admitted that he knew the police were outside the home, but said he didn’t believe his girlfriend, Kristen Luther had called 911 for a domestic violence incident between the two. He blamed Luther for the shooting, saying it would not have happened if she had let him sleep after the two had spent the night drinking. Shetler also told the investigator he recalled Reed telling him to put down his gun and the exchange of gunfire, saying he reacted to being shot at by returning fire.
Other testimony yesterday included descriptions of the manhunt conducted after the shooting and the finding of the rifle Shetler used, along with a knife and some clothing he had hidden in some brush.
District Attorney John Peck is seeking the death penalty. Defense attorney Mark Daffner is seeking acquittal based on self defense. Daffner is expected to begin calling defense witnesses today.
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