Trial continues for man accused of double homicide

PITTSBURGH — The trial continued Wednesday for a man accused of fatally shooting two people inside an Etna apartment building.

Joshua Huber is charged in the deaths of Melissa Zuk, 22, and her boyfriend, Derek Schindler, 30. Police said they were shot and killed April 15 on Viksak Street.

Huber's attorney, Michael Waltman, claims the shooting was in self-defense.

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During testimony Wednesday, prosecutors called multiple forensic scientists from the Allegheny County Crime Lab who investigated the gun used to kill Zuk and Schindler. The experts concluded Huber fired the weapon or stood close to where the gun was fired.

"They want to show without question there is gunpowder on Mr. Huber, that he fired a gun or close to a gun being fired," Waltman said.

Waltman and the defense team did not argue against the findings, but said the shooting was in self-defense.

Waltman said prosecutors have a steep mountain to climb.

"The commonwealth, they have a huge burden of proof proving their case," he said. "The thing about self-defense cases, it adds an extra element; the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Huber did not act in self-defense. ... The D.A. has to connect all the dots. That's why he's being that methodical."

In court Tuesday, pictures from inside the apartment were entered into evidence. The defense used one photo to show how Huber’s hair had been ripped out. Allegheny County Detective Michael Feeny, who investigated the homicide, testified that it was only a few pieces of hair.

Another picture showed a coffee table with alcohol, prescription pills and a 9 mm gun on it, offering a glimpse of what may have led up to the shooting.

Waltman said the case will take a long time because there are so many layers to it, and said it may take two weeks before it's handed to a jury.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.

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