Beaver Co. Newlywed Gets Bail In Niece's Shooting Death
BEAVER, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A western Pennsylvania newlywed has been granted bail while awaiting trial on charges in the shooting death of her niece.
Thirty-year-old Christina George-Harvan of Conway is charged with homicide in Beaver County in the April 24 death of 21-year-old Katelyn Francis of Fairmont, W. Va.
Police said the newlyweds, who married earlier in the day, were with Francis at a bar in New Brighton, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, and got into an argument about who should drive home.
Judge Harry Knafelc said after a brief hearing Thursday that he had no doubt that "this is not a capital case," and therefore the defendant was entitled to bail.
Defense attorney Stephen Colafella calls the shooting a "horrible, horrible accident" that occurred when his client tried to move the gun.
Earlier this month, George-Harvan was ordered to stand trial in her niece's shooting death.
"It's just terrible. You could see in the courtroom today how much we love her, how much we support her, and it's heartbreaking I know because of her niece," said Faye Acon, a family friend, earlier this month. "It's heartbreaking."
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