BREAKING: The murder trial for Jenndry Samuel Rodriguez Contreras, a 24-year-old York man accused of a deadly shooting during a drug deal in Hazleton, has been postponed until December 15, 2023. The delay, requested by the defense, comes just days before the trial was set to begin.
Authorities report that Rodriguez Contreras faces serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault, stemming from a violent incident on October 7, 2022 at 199 S. Wyoming St.. During the altercation, he allegedly shot Felix Dini, 22, of Freeland, resulting in his death, and wounded Rochell Angel “Chi-Chi” Reyes-Cruz, 23, from Hazleton.
The trial was originally scheduled to commence next Monday, but defense attorney James Scanlon filed a motion for a continuance, citing his involvement in a separate murder trial that has faced complications. That case, involving Frangel Garcia Andujar, concluded in a mistrial after a juror was seen being photographed in court earlier this week.
Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas granted the continuance, pushing Rodriguez Contreras’s trial back to December. This development raises questions about the judicial process following the recent mistrial, emphasizing the complexities involved in high-profile cases.
Rodriguez Contreras, an undocumented immigrant, was already wanted for murder in the Dominican Republic before his arrest. He is the third individual charged in connection with the shooting; the other two, Keliana Lineth Moronta Jimenez and her boyfriend Wellington Javier Marte Ramirez, were previously tried and acquitted of all charges.
As the trial approaches, Rodriguez Contreras remains incarcerated at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail. The community is left grappling with the tragic fallout of the shooting, and many are eagerly awaiting the upcoming trial, which promises to shed more light on the events surrounding this violent crime.
Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge regarding this developing story. Share your thoughts and let us know how this situation has impacted you or your community.
