Local

Separate trials ordered for 2 in Monessen robbery-homicide case

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A judge has ordered separate trials for a man and his girlfriend in a shooting death following what authorities allege was a botched robbery in western Pennsylvania last year.

According to Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE, Westmoreland County Judge Al Bell ruled Thursday that jurors would be prejudiced if they heard alleged statements by 19-year-old Chalsee Hughes, of Duquesne, linking 19-year-old Earl Pinkney, of Monessen, to the crime.

Both are charged with criminal homicide, robbery and conspiracy in the Dec. 3 shooting in Monessen that killed 36-year-old Chris Fincik. Pinkney is also charged with aggravated assault.

Authorities allege that Hughes bought bullets the day before the shooting. They say Pinkney told police he saw another man shoot the victim, so he ran away.