Victor Steban, Accused Of Fatally Shooting Penn Twp. Couple, Held For Court
HARRISON CITY, Pa. (KDKA) -- The man accused in a Westmoreland County crime spree that included the double murder of a local couple is headed to trial.
At his preliminary hearing Tuesday morning in front of a district magistrate, 53-year-old Victor Steban was held for court on charges of homicide, robbery, burglary and other weapons counts.
Steban is charged with double homicide in the shooting deaths of Penn Township couple Jacob Erdeljac and Mara Casale.
At the hearing, Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck accused Steban of waiting for the couple to come home and "ambushed them, opening fire with an AR-15."
Westmoreland Co. DA. John Peck says Victor Steben waited for his victim to come home and ambushed them, opening fire with an AR-15. Steben's murder,robber, weapons and Burglery charged held for court after his preliminary hearing.
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"It's clear from the evidence and the defendant's own statement that he intended to kill, and he carried that objective without delay," said Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck.
Westmoreland County Det. Randy Gardner took the stand during the hearing. In his testimony, he said Steban fired repeatedly and then walked up to a wounded Erdeljac and said, "I told you this was gonna happen. I told you not to run your mouth."
Steban then allegedly shot Erdeljac in the head, Det. Gardner said.
Gardner also testified that Esteban told him during questioning that Erdeljac stuck his nose in other business and he intended to go there and kill him. As for Mara Casale and why he repeatedly shot her, Steban allegedly said she entered into Erdeljac's world and he did what he had to do.
"He was very blasé and unrepentant about what he had to do. He was going to get away with this crime, she may very well have prevented it by calling the police or identifying him," said Peck.
Steban is facing additional charges that will require other hearings.
He is accused of shooting at homes and an attempted carjacking just before his apprehension. He is facing arson charges as well for allegedly setting fire to his own home.
Steban was eventually taken into custody on Route 30. Police say he had three weapons on him at the time.