4 to stand trial for killing girl, 10, during robbery attempt

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Four western Pennsylvania men have been ordered to stand trial in the fatal shooting of a 10-year-old girl during an aborted attempt to rob her mother's boyfriend.

The four men, 20-year-old Malik Thomas, 28-year-old Anthian Goehring, 18-year-old Richard White, and 18-year-old Douglas Cochran Jr., were ordered to stand trial on criminal homicide and related charges in the March 31 death of Taniyah Thomas.

According to police, the suspects planned to rob Robert Lester, who lived with the girl's mother in an apartment. Police testified that Goehring and Cochran fired shots through the apartment door about 3:30 a.m. as part of a planned home invasion.

Instead, the girl woke up and was hit in the head as she ran to her mother's bedroom, and the suspects fled.

The suspects have pleaded not guilty and remain jailed Wednesday.

Channel 11's Cara Sapida reported security was tight during Wednesday's preliminary hearing.

Six to 10 armed police officers wearing bullet-proof vests surrounded the entrance to courtroom 5 on the first floor of the county courthouse.

WPXI