Death penalty sought for Washington man in killings of two men

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing two people and wounding a third outside a Western Pennsylvania bar in February.

Authorities said the defendant, Phillip Whitlock Jr. of Washington had been involved in an earlier altercation with Troy Saunders, 23. They said Whitlock opened fire outside the Cabaret West bar in Washington on Feb. 16, killing Saunders. Another man, Marquis Taylor, 24, died four days later, and a third was treated and released.

Washington County District Attorney Steven Toprani said he is seeking capital punishment because of the death of the two men and the threat to the life of the third man.

After Friday's formal arraignment, Whitlock was returned to the county jail, where he is being held without bond.