Hazleton Murder Trial Delayed Until December, Key Suspect Remains Jailed

UPDATE: The murder trial for Jenndry Samuel Rodriguez Contreras, a York man charged with a double shooting in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, has been delayed until December 15, 2023. The decision comes at the request of the defense, which cited ongoing court obligations in a separate case.

Rodriguez Contreras, 24, is accused of opening fire during a drug deal gone wrong on October 7, 2022, resulting in the death of Felix Dini, 22, and injuring Rochell Angel “Chi-Chi” Reyes-Cruz, 23. His trial was originally set to begin next Monday, but defense attorney James Scanlon requested a continuance due to his involvement in another murder trial that recently ended in a mistrial.

In that case, Frangel Garcia Andujar, 23, faced charges for shooting five people at an underage drinking party in Hazleton. The mistrial was declared after an individual was spotted photographing the jury, raising concerns about trial integrity.

Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas granted Scanlon’s request, pushing Rodriguez Contreras’ trial back to December. This delay raises questions about the prosecution’s strategy and the continued impact of the case on the local community.

Rodriguez Contreras is currently held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail. He is also an undocumented immigrant and was previously wanted for murder in the Dominican Republic. He is the third individual charged in connection with this case; Keliana Lineth Moronta Jimenez and her boyfriend Wellington Javier Marte Ramirez were previously tried and acquitted of all charges related to the incident.

This trial’s postponement adds urgency to the ongoing discussions about gun violence and drug-related crime in Hazleton, a community grappling with the aftermath of such violent incidents. As the new date approaches, residents are left to ponder the implications of the case and the legal proceedings that will unfold.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.