Canonsburg robbery suspects held for court
State constables lead Tonaiya Carr to a recent hearing.
State constables lead Travis Bush and Amanda Snatchko into a recent hearing in Canonsburg.
Three of the four people accused of robbing a Canonsburg man at gunpoint in his home last November were ordered to stand trial Wednesday over the objections of their attorneys after a co-defendant testified against them with the alleged victim not showing up to testify at the hearing.
Travis Bush, 27, and Tonaiya Carr, 19, both of 155 Smith St., Canonsburg, and Amanda Snatchko, 25, formerly of 157 Smith, were ordered held on charges including robbery, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and simple assault filed by Canonsburg police. Bush also was held on charges of unlawful restraint, a firearms violation and corruption of minors.
Denver Findley, 16, of 149 DiCio St., North Strabane Township, who is charged as an adult, waived charges of robbery, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and simple assault minutes before the start of the preliminary hearing for the others before District Judge David Mark.
The robbery sparked a standoff and the dispatching of Washington County Regional SWAT team and SHACOG Community Emergency Response team as well as police from several surrounding communities and state police.
Prior to the start of the hearing, public defender Russ Korner objected to Findley’s testimony.
“He is not the victim and the victim is not here,” Korner said of Devan Byrd, who was allegedly robbing by the group Nov. 28. “No victim, no crime.”
John Paul Lewis, assistant district attorney presenting the case, responded the teen could establish the body of the case.
“You have to wonder how homicide charges go through when the victim is dead,” Lewis responded.
Mark told Korner to save his argument after the hearing.
The 16-year-old testified the four of them were hanging out on the sidewalk, talking about robbing someone, when one of them suggested targeting Byrd. He could not remember which one suggested Byrd.
The four went to Byrd’s apartment. Findley said Carr knocked on the door. Byrd reportedly asked who was there and when she said who it was, Byrd opened the door. The four went in, Findley said, and Bush asked Byrd for the “weed” or marijuana. After Byrd reportedly responded, he had none, Bush allegedly pulled out a gun and held it to the other man’s head.
Findley said the two women went into another room and went through Byrd’s “stuff.” Byrd removed items from a backpack. Findley said he put a bong in his backpack and took it from the house. Bush reportedly took the bag that contained items, reportedly including marijuana. Snatchko allegedly took a guitar in a case and other items, but Findley did not recall if Carr carried anything away from Byrd’s residence.
They returned to 157 Smith, where Bush told them to keep the lights off and wait for police to leave since they did not have warrants, Findley said.
Snatchko was taken into custody by police as she left the home when they arrived. Findley and Carr gave up after more than an hour. Bush was taken into custody after being convinced to leave by a family member after the standoff lasted several hours and prompted the evacuation of several nearby homes. Findley said he gave state police a statement after he was taken into custody. His mother was with him when he was questioned, he testified.
John Egers Jr., a conflict attorney representing Carr, argued all the charges should be dismissed against his client particularly the charge of simple assault since she did not have the gun. He also noted Byrd did not appear to testify.
Mollie Maguire Gaussa, a conflict attorney representing Bush, said the case was based on hearsay and said there were inconsistencies in Findley’s testimony and his statement to police.
Korner renewed his argument there was no victim, therefore there was no crime. He said Findley was a tainted source.
Lewis said the charges including assault were acts committed in the furtherance of a conspiracy.
“In for a penny, in for a pound,” Lewis said. “They each didn’t have to separately pick up the gun.”
Almon S. Burke, who represented Findley, said it is possible the courts will be asked to decertify the 16-year-old as an adult and have him tried as a juvenile.
But he said his firm, Blaine Jones Law, was retained as counsel by Findley’s family through the preliminary hearing.
Findley, Snatchko and Carr each remain in Washington County jail on $500,000 bond. Bush is in jail on $750,000 bond. All four are tentatively scheduled for formal arraignment March 24.