WASHINGTON, Pa. - A sentencing hearing has been postponed for a McMurray man convicted of first-degree murder in the 1999 slaying of an Ohio medical consultant. Several others connected to the murder also are awaiting court dates. Gregory S. Modery, 34, was scheduled to appear today before Washington County Judge Katherine B. Emery for formal sentencing. Based on state law, Modery faces life in prison with no chance for parole on the first degree murder conviction. The proceeding was delayed until 1 p.m. Nov. 15 to allow completion of pre-sentence reports. Such reports typically are conducted by the adult probation office and are based on such information as prior criminal record and personal history. Modery was convicted of first degree murder and other criminal charges Oct. 9 for his role in the Dec. 12, 1999, abduction, robbery and fatal shooting of Ira Swearingen, 47, of Stout. The trial lasted six weeks. Modery's accomplice, Alexander J. Martos, 35, formerly of Fallowfield Township, pleaded guilty in February to first degree murders. He shot Swearingen in the head. Martos testified against Modery to avoid a possible death sentence. Modery theoretically could be additionally sentenced for other convictions related to the Swearingen case. Modery and Martos abducted Swearingen near the Highway News adult bookstore. They beat Swearingen until the victim revealed personal identification numbers for credit and bank cards. The two later drove Swearingen to a rural Greene County, where the shooting occurred. Hunters found Swearingen's body a year later. Washington County District Attorney John C. Pettit said Modery is being held in the county lock-up. Martos is lodged in the Fayette County Jail. Pettit said he would deal with the seven other people charged in the Swearingen case after Modery is sentenced. Among those charged are John Shaker, 34, of Las Vegas, who was with Modery and Martos when Swearingen was abducted; Deborah Levandosky of Finleyville, charged with receiving stolen property; brothers Robert and Joseph Petrick; and Sean Wolowski. "It's anticipated that there will be a number of plea bargains (offered)," Pettit said. He said that Martos won't be formally sentenced until after Modery and the others charged are dealt with.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---