Man convicted of 2nd-degree murder in deaths of mother, son
WILLIAMSPORT, PA. >> A man convicted of second-degree murder in a Halloween night 2016 home invasion that left a mother and son slain shouted “Racist!” at the all-white jury that returned the verdict.
Jurors in Lycoming County deliberated all morning and into Friday afternoon before convicting Joseph Sentore Coleman Jr. on the murder charge as well as robbery, conspiracy and attempted robbery.
PennLive.com reports that Coleman, 37, who is black, yelled “Racist!” at jurors after the verdict was read and his family and friends also voiced protests.
Prosecutors said he and two other men broke into the home of Shane Wright and Kristine Kibler to try to get money another member of the trio, Casey Wilson, needed to pay off a debt.
Authorities said Wright, 25, was found dead at the front door, while Kibler, 50, was found alive at the top of the second-floor steps but died three hours later. Prosecutors said Wright also had been struck on the back of the head with a .22-calber pistol that contained Coleman’s DNA. A magazine from that gun was found partially under his body.
Wilson pleaded guilty in January to third-degree murder as part of an agreement calling for a 25- to 50-year prison term and requiring him to testify against Coleman.
Defense attorney Robert Hoffa, who told reporters he plans to appeal, attacked Wilson’s credibility during the trial, citing an extensive criminal record and calling him a “crime wave waiting to happen.”
“You can’t believe anything that comes out of his mouth,” Hoffa said.
First Assistant District Attorney Martin Wade called Wilson an “unsavory
PennLive.com reports that Coleman, 37, who is black, yelled “Racist!” at jurors after the verdict was read.
human being” but contended he already faced a long prison term and had no motive to lie. Wade called the defense allegation of a frame ridiculous, citing testimony and DNA evidence placing Coleman in the house.
Jordan Adonis Rawls, 37, accused of having been the gunman, faces trial in April in the case.
Coleman, who faces an automatic life term, awaits trial on firearms charges severed from the case to keep jurors from knowing he was a convicted felon. He also awaits sentencing in federal court on an unrelated weapons conviction involving the 2014 sale of a pistol.