New jury selected in slaying of police officer

A retrial will begin next week for a man accused of killing an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer in 2019, a week after the first trial ended in a mistrial, officials said.

A new jury in the case against 34-year-old Christian Bey was impaneled Friday, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office.

Testimony will begin Tuesday,

one week after the trial initially began. After a day and a half of testimony, Common Pleas Judge Kevin G. Sasinoski granted the defense counsel’s request for a mistrial based on a witness’ statement about Bey’s criminal history.

Bey faces homicide and other charges in connection with the July 14, 2019, shooting in Homewood that killed Calvin Hall. Hall, 36, was off duty at the time and visiting friends on Monticello Street, where a block party was also taking place.

The testimony that sparked the mistrial came from Dawn Coates, who lived on Monticello Street and was with Hall when he was killed. She lived across the street from the home hosting the block party. She said she also knew Bey.

When Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Ramaley asked Ms. Coates how she knew Bey, Ms. Coates said she had known him since he moved into the house across the street when he was released from prison.

A defendant’s criminal history is generally kept from the jury so as not to prejudice them.

Attorneys for Bey immediately asked the judge if they could approach. Judge Sasinoski excused the jury and then cleared the courtroom of everyone except Bey and his attorneys.

His attorneys ultimately requested a mistrial, which the judge granted. Ms. Ramaley did not object to the defense request.