Lack of evidence leads to acquittal in 2017 McKeesport shooting death
An Allegheny County Common Pleas judge on Monday found McKeesport man not guilty in the July 2017 shooting death of a 23- yearold woman.
Daniel “Boog” Bizzelle, 27, was charged with homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related charges stemming from the shooting July 16, 2017, outside a bar in the 1000 block of Fifth Avenue in McKeesport.
Samantha Klavora, 23, was killed, and Brian Kellum was injured.
During the three- day nonjury trial earlier this month before Judge Randal B. Todd, Kellum was the prosecution’s key witness.
He identified Bizzelle as the shooter in a photo array later, a but
Judge
Todd said that
Kellum did not tell anyone at the scene that night who was responsible for shooting him.
The judge noted that it was dark and that the shooter was wearing all black.
“All I have is the testimony of Brian Kellum,” he said, noting that Kellum has several previous convictions. “The most troubling thing to me were the inconsistencies throughout his whole testimony.
“Maybe you did this, maybe you didn’t,” the judge told Bizzelle. “But it’s not enough to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The judge expressed sympathy to Ms. Klavora’s family, calling it a “senseless and tragic killing.”
Defense attorney Randall McKinney said the prosecution had no other evidence in the case — not forensics, physical evidence, surveillance or witnesses.
“Obviously, we’re pleased with the verdict.”
Bizzelle does not have any other charges holding him in the Allegheny County Jail and is expected to be released soon.