The alleged triggerman behind the 2006 Bristol Township murder of Kevin Batista was arraigned in Bristol Township on Thursday.
Ckaron Handy, 24, of Philadelphia, was brought before Judge Joanne Kline Thursday afternoon and formally arraigned on charges of criminal homicide, robbery and various other crimes.
Handy is accused in the early morning 2006 shooting death of 30-year-old machinist Kevin Battista. He was killed during a robbery gone wrong while trying to score $50 worth of powered cocaine after turning into the Bloomsdale neighborhood while looking for his girlfriend.
Click here to read more and watch District Attorney David Heckler explain details on case.
The 24-year-old was already in federal custody related to a Bloomsdale shots fired incident that happened in 2011.
Prosecutor Jennifer Schorn told the judge during the arraignment that first- and second- degree murder charges might be lodged against Handy. She also said that the county might pursue the death penalty. Decisions on the charges and pursuing the death penalty are expected to be made in early 2013.
Handy became the lead suspect for the murder in the weeks following the shooting but a lack of cooperation from witnesses who saw the crime and several other factors lead to the delay in issuing a warrant for Handy’s arrest in connection with the murder, Bucks County prosecutor Jennifer Schorn said during a press conference in October.
The 24-year-old will remain in prison until his preliminary hearing in January.
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