JOHNSTOWN —
A Cambria County jury of seven women and five men began deliberations around 2:45 this afternoon in the homicide trial of two Philadelphia men. Earlier today, prosecutors are seeking to convict the two defendants – 31-year-old Marquis “G” Neal, the alleged shooter, and his cousin, 29-year-old Anthony “Mack” Harvey, charged as an accomplice - with criminal homicide in the slaying 21-year-old J-Quan Lewis in a daring daylight shooting Oct. 1, 2011, outside the Oakhurst Homes.
Assistant District Attorney Tamara Bernstein told jurors that the shooting was premeditated by both men to get even for a beating that Harvey received in a fight late the night before outside Edder’s Den, a bar in the Oakhurst neighborhood.
Neal, who testified during the trial, admitted to shooting the victim but said that they acted only after Lewis had nudged him and appeared to be reaching for a handgun in his hoodie pockets. Neal said that Harvey - who was driving by in a minivan - stopped for him only after Neal had jumped in front of the vehicle.
Defense Attorney Robert Davis Gleason, who represents Neal, suggested to the jurors that a third-degree murder conviction would be proper because Neal - who had testified that he had been drinking vodka and popping pills was “buzzed and intoxicated” and could not have formed an intent to kill.
Defense Attorney Jerome Kaharick, who represents Harvey, maintained that there was no evidence to show that Harvey had aided or abetted Neal in the slaying and asked the jury to find Harvey “not guilty."
Trial Judge Norman Krumenacker will instruct the jurors in the law early this afternoon before sending them to the jury room to begin deliberations.
See Tuesday’s Tribune-Democrat for additional information.
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