By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI
SOMERSET — A Jennerstown man admitted Friday that he murdered a man who had hired him to help tear down a house.
Shawn Ernest Shaulis, 34, of Pitt Street, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the July 2009 beating death of Thomas F. Williams, 60.
Shaulis entered the plea in Somerset County court, thus avoiding a lengthly jury trial and possible death sentence.
“We will not seek the death penalty,” District Attorney Jerry Spangler said.
Shaulis faces life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced April 28. He also faces up to $50,000 in fines.
Shaulis stood silent, hands cuffed, and wearing an orange jail suit, as Spangler detailed events on the day the two men were gutting a house in the village of Gray.
Williams had hired Shaulis to help tear down a three-story house he owned on Beam Church Road, across the street from the community park.
The two were tearing out a wooden staircase when an argument broke out over money. Shaulis struck Williams and “repeatedly kicked him in the head,” Spangler said.
Shaulis then dragged the body across the floor and dumped it into a hole. The body landed in the basement.
An autopsy showed Williams died of head and chest injuries.
Under the plea deal, charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, robbery and theft were dismissed.
Shaulis spoke only to reply “yes” to a series of questions asked by President Judge John Cascio, including whether he understood the plea deal meant a life sentence without parole.
Shaulis agreed to plead guilty to the murder after consulting with defense attorneys Kenneth Johnson and William Seger.
Johnson said Shaulis wished to be sentenced as soon as possible.
Shaulis waived his right to be sentenced by a jury and will be sentenced by Cascio.
After the proceeding, the defendant’s father said the killing was not intentional.
“They were arguing and it got out of hand,” said Ernest Shaulis of New Centerville. “My boy pushed him and kicked him once.
“He didn’t mean to do it,” Ernest Shaulis said. “He regrets that it happened.”
The Williams family declined to be interviewed.
