Monroeville Mall Shooting Suspect Opts For Judge Instead Of Jury Trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - An 18-year-old accused of wounding three people - including two bystanders - at Monroeville Mall last year has decided to have a judge, not a jury, decide his fate.
Tarod Thornhill opted for the bench trial in Allegheny County, and the selected jurors were dismissed around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Officer Kip Jobe then took the stand and testified he was first to the scene, grabbing whatever clothing was nearby to stop the bleeding for two of the victims.
Victims Tom & Mary Singleton also took the stand. They were shopping with their young son, Dylan, when they were both hit in the gunfire. An artery was severed in Tom's leg, and Mary was hit in the arm.
Defense attorney Christopher Urbano acknowledges Thornhill is responsible for the February 2015 shootings in Macy's at the mall.
But Urbano told the judge Thornhill's "decision-making was compromised" because he was afraid of his intended target, 20-year-old Davon Jones, who Thornhill allegedly had an altercation earlier that evening.
The audio of Jones' 911 call was released.
Dispatcher: "Allegheny County Communications."
Jones: "I'm hit."
Dispatcher: "Hello?"
Jones: "Hey! Hey! Hello?"
Dispatcher: "Hello?"
Jones: "I'm shot. I'm in the mall. I'm in Monroeville Mall."
Dispatcher: "Stay on the line."
Jones: "I'm shot."
Dispatcher: "Okay, stay on the line."
(Screams)
Dispatcher: "I'll transfer you to Monroeville."
(Screams)
Urbano says his clinet needs treatment.
Prosecutors say Jones wasn't armed, and that Thornhill is guilty of attempted homicide as well as aggravated assault, endangerment and other charges stemming from the two bystanders Thornhill wounded, and others endangered by the shooting.
The defense says when court resumes Thursday they intend to call a doctor to testify about the defendant's mental illness.
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