Monessen man faces trial in shooting
While witnesses were reluctant to testify against a Monessen shooting suspect, surveillance video allegedly placed him at the scene of the crime.
Jashawn Mackall, 21, of Braddock Avenue was ordered to stand trial for attempted homicide and other charges during a lengthy preliminary hearing Friday in Monessen before Magisterial District Judge Joseph Dalfonso.
Mackall allegedly shot Keith Davis Jr., 21, of Knox Avenue on April 19 during an argument in a Highland Manor parking area.
Monessen police Officer Pat Schmidt presented surveillance camera footage of the shooting during Mackall's hearing.
Davis, who was shot in the lower right leg, walked into the courtroom using crutches. Davis told Westmoreland County Assistant District Attorney Allen Powanda he and Mackall were arguing “about something that happened awhile ago.” Davis said he Mackall are cousins and lifelong friends.
Davis allegedly told Monessen police Lt. Jim Franks that Mackall shot him shortly after the incident.
But while testifying, Davis told Powanda, “I don't really know for sure if it was him or someone else.”
Video allegedly shows the two arguing after Davis approached Mackall outside the apartment complex.
As the argument continued, Davis approached Mackall, who backed up into the street and parking lot, the video shows. Police contend that as Davis continued forward, the video shows Mackall pulling a gun out of his waistband and firing five shots, one of which hit Davis.
Davis testified that the bullet broke two bones in his leg.
The video allegedly showed Mackall fleeing and Davis hopping on one leg into the nearby residence of a cousin, Keisha Anderson.
Anderson's mother, Cynthia Anderson, testified she was at the residence when she heard the men arguing. Within moments, she said heard gunshots.
“The next thing I knew, (Mackall) pulled out a gun and shot him,” Cynthia Anderson testified .
Under cross-examination by defense attorney Lee Rothman, she changed her story.
“I didn't see the gun, all I saw was (Mackall's) hand in his pocket. I don't know what he had,” Anderson testified.
Feliberto Becerra said he watched the incident from the doorway of his Highland Manor residence.
Becerra initially testified he saw Mackall shoot Davis. But he later told Rothman he did not see the gun in Mackall's possession until after the shooting.
Schmidt testified the video shows Mackall reaching into his waistband and then pointing a gun at Davis.
Rothman argued that attempted homicide should be dismissed because there is no evidence Mackall intended to kill Davis.
“They were coming at each other during an argument; the gun was pointed at the ground,” Rothman said.
Powanda countered that several shots were fired and the video shows Mackall aiming the gun at Davis.
“Mr. Davis doesn't want to testify. That's the nature of the situation in this city,” Powanda said. “What we're relying on here is the video.”
Mackall is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, firearm not to be carried without a license, recklessly endangering another person and possession of firearm prohibited.
Charges of possessing instruments of crime and prohibited offensive weapon were dismissed.
Mackall was returned to the Westmoreland County Prison in Hempfield in lieu of $250,000 bond. Mackall has been in jail since his April 28 capture in McKeesport.
