Two teenagers are facing charges in connection with the recent death of a 38-year-old woman. The Pennsylvanians, aged 17 and 18, will each need to mount an aggressive criminal defense against the charges, which could potentially change the course of each of their lives. The 18-year-old has been charged with second and third-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy; the other teen is charged with robbery and conspiracy.
Police say the two attempted to rob the woman’s apartment. She was at home with her boyfriend who police say tried to barricade himself and the woman in an upstairs bedroom. The older suspect, authorities say, shot through the door and hit the woman in the head. The two then allegedly fled in a vehicle without taking anything out of the apartment.
The 18-year-old was denied bail at his arraignment. Bail was set at $99,000 for the other accused who was unable to post it. Both are being held in custody.
The criminal defense fights for both these accused young men must be powerful, and since these charges come with complexities that may be confusing, an attorney’s advice may be the first step to fighting them aggressively. For instance, in Pennsylvania, a defendant could be found guilty of second degree murder if the murder occurred while the accused was committing a felony. This is true even if the accused was only acting as an accomplice when engaged in the felonious act. An attorney may be able to help clients to better understand their rights and options while building their defenses.
