Wilkinsburg Court: Man Charged in Dog Fighting, Attempted Home Invasion

The following cases were heard recently by District Judge Kim M. Hoots in Wilkinsburg:

Jeremy Whittington of Wilkinsburg was held for court on charges of robbery and criminal conspiracy from an attempted home invasion on April 23, 2012. In the affidavit, police say Whittington and Jabari Owens knocked on the door of 1002 Montier St. The homeowner grabbed a loaded handgun after seeing the unfamiliar men and then answered the door, the criminal complaint states. During the conversation that followed, Owens aimed a sawed-off shotgun at the homeowner, who proceeded to shoot Owens in the torso. Whittington fled the scene and was later picked up by police. A formal arraignment is scheduled for June 20.

Darryl Bryant of Wilkinsburg was held for court on charges of animal fighting for amusement or gain, owning animals for fighting, and possession of instruments of crime. An affidavit says police seized training equipment and 13 dogs with injuries typical of fighting from 1209 Bessica St. on Feb. 24, 2012. A formal arraignment is scheduled for June 26.

Walter Maurice Gunter of Pittsburgh waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, loitering and prowling at night, and criminal mischief. The charges stem from an incident on Dec. 9, 2011. The police affidavit says Gunter broke into Jean’s Soul Food Restaurant on Penn Avenue in Wilkinsburg and stole a 42-inch flat-screen television. Gunter had worked at the restaurant. A formal arraignment is scheduled for June 20.

Jamie Williams of Edgewood waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges of DUI, careless driving, and failure to notify police of an accident. The police affidavit says Williams hit two cars parked near the intersection of Edgewood and Maple avenues and left the scene on March 14. Edgewood officers stopped him outside of his apartment shortly after, smelling alcohol on his breath. Williams said he’d planned on reporting the accident but didn’t want to block traffic. He failed multiple sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol content of .125. A formal arraignment is scheduled for June 26.

Elizabeth Ann Heyl waived her right to a preliminary hearing on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance. Police say in an affidavit that they pulled behind Heyl’s Lexus on April 26 after seeing a man shooting heroin in the passenger seat. After police approached the car and told them not to move, Heyl sped away, bumping against an officer. Police apprehended the two at the intersection of Ardmore Boulevard and Brinton Road and took them into custody. A formal arraignment is scheduled for June 20.