Jan 31, 2017 3 min read

Two people charged in an East Washington home invasion in December were ordered to stand trial Tuesday on charges of burglary and robbery, in spite of claims by one of them that she was at the home as a guest.

Morgan Lojek, 23, of 211 Lincoln Terrace, Washington, and Demetric Adams, 23, of McKees Rocks, also were ordered held for court by District Judge Jay Weller on charges of conspiracy, criminal trespass and theft. Adams also faces charges of aggravated assault, but a charge of possessing cocaine with intent to deliver was dismissed.

Officer James McKean testified he was called to 81 Hemlock Lane for a report of three or four men threatening the occupants with a gun. The dispatch was updated to indicate that the incident involved a man and woman who fled from the residence. Lojek was found in the backyard of the residence by Washington police. South Strabane Township police found Adams a couple blocks away. McKean said a cellphone reportedly stolen from the home, a box cutter, black bandanas and a small amount of cocaine were found over the fence in an adjacent yard.

Alexandra Hunter, who lived at the residence, at one point Tuesday pointed to Lojek as the one who entered her house. But under cross-examination, she indicated she was not sure.

Hunter said she might have seen Lojek earlier in the day and mentioned a get-together at her home. During her testimony, she wavered on how she received a cut on her arm, and she seemed reluctant to answer questions.

Assistant District Attorney Cassidy Miller Gerstner reminded Hunter at least twice that she was under oath. Weller also admonished Hunter, telling her “Why don’t you just tell us the truth,” telling her that for whatever reason, she was a reluctant witness.

Jessica Heberling was one of the three others at the residence. Heberling testified that each intruder wore a bandana and had a box cutter and knife. Heberling said Adams shoved her down twice and cut her cellphone. She said she pulled down the bandana Adams had covering his face, and police said she was able to identify him after he was taken into custody. Heberling said she refused treatment for cuts on her neck.

James Crosby, who represented Lojek, suggested that his client may have been there as an invited guest. Lojek reportedly told McKean while she was being held at the Washington police station that she was there with friends and did not know why she had been arrested.

“She just kept saying it over and over again,” McKean said.

“She may have showed up late for the party,” Crosby said of his client.

Weller said no one placed her at the party, and he ordered her held for trial.

Kristin Fiori, who represented Adams, asked that the drug charge be dismissed, and Weller agreed. While the judge would not dismiss the robbery count, he did make it and the aggravated assault charge less serious felonies. He denied Fiori’s request to dismiss the burglary charge.

Both defendants are being held in Washington County jail. Adams is being held on $200,000 bond, while Lojek is in on $150,000 bond. The two will be formally arraigned April 21.