NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (AP) — A man has been ordered to stand trial in the fatal shooting of a western Pennsylvania tattoo shop owner that a defense attorney claims was an argument between friends that got out of hand.
The Valley News Dispatch says defense attorney Patrick Thomassey on Thursday asked a district judge to reduce the criminal homicide charge to manslaughter against 44-year-old Christopher Patterson, of Vandergrift.
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But a district judge ordered Patterson to trial on the homicide charge in the shooting of 43-year-old Kevin Croney. He owned True Image Tattoo in New Kensington, where he was killed March 13.
That charge gives prosecutors a chance to convince a jury the shooting was first-degree murder -- carrying life in prison -- or third-degree, which carries up to 40 years.
The most serious manslaughter charge carries up to seven years.
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