The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Pottstown man faces trial in alleged gunshot slaying of woman
POTTSTOWN » A Pottstown man must answer to charges in Montgomery County Court that he intentionally killed a 23-year-old woman, a former girlfriend who was seeking a paternity test and child support from him.
Bobbie Mitchell Jr., 36, was ordered to stand trial, after a preliminary hearing before District Court Judge Scott T. Palladino, on charges of first- and thirddegree murder, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of a weapon in connection with the Easter Sunday gunshot slaying of Siani Overby, 23, of Pottstown. Mitchell will remain in the county jail without bail to await his next court hearing.
Palladino set Aug. 15 as Mitchell’s formal arraignment date on the charges in county court.
A conviction of first-degree murder can carry sentences of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Prosecutors must reveal if they plan to seek the death penalty against Mitchell during the Aug. 15 arraignment hearing.
A conviction of third-degree murder, a killing committed with malice, carries a possible maximum sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison.
During the preliminary hearing, Deputy District Attorney Samantha Cauffman relied on the testimony of one witness, county Detective Todd Richard, to present sufficient probable cause to move Mitchell’s case to trial in county court. Richard, a former Pottstown detective, testified about various statements provided by witnesses during the investigation.
Mitchell was represented at the hearing by defense lawyer Charles Auspitz.
The investigation began when police responded to the 300 block of Johnson Street at 1:58 a.m. on April 1 for a report of a woman screaming and shots fired. Officers arrived to find Overby, suffering fatal wounds from multiple gunshots, lying on the sidewalk next to a fence.
Detectives allegedly found a cell phone next to the victim’s legs. It was later determined to belong to Mitchell and revealed text messages between Mitchell and the victim less than an hour before her murder, according to court papers. Video surveillance secured by detectives showed the victim being chased by a male, and the victim is heard screaming and pleading for her life during intermittent gunfire, according to detectives and prosecutors.
The victim’s mother allegedly told detectives that Mitchell was the father of the victim’s 18-month-old son and that her daughter was seeking a paternity test and child support from Mitchell.
Mitchell allegedly fled from the Pottstown area after the killing and was captured April 3 in Waterbury, Conn. Mitchell was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department, according to court documents.
“This dangerous criminal wanted for first degree murder is now safely and quickly behind bars thanks to law enforcement colleagues in Connecticut. I also want to thank the media for alerting the public to the fact that this man was being sought,” District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said at the time of Mitchell’s apprehension.