A Westmoreland County judge ruled Friday a New Kensington man cannot have a new lawyer ahead of a retrial scheduled in June in connection with a fatal shooting five years ago during what police said was a botched robbery.
Latresse Williams, 35, was acquitted of first-degree murder following a weeklong trial last year related to the Jan. 15, 2020, death of Anthone Williams of Arnold. A Westmoreland County jury deliberated 14 hours over two days before it rendered a mixed verdict. Willaims faced a mandatory life prison sentence if convicted of first-degree murder.
A mistrial was declared after jurors reported there was just one holdout who did not support convictions on the remaining charges. Westmoreland County prosecutors said they will argue at the retrial that Williams can be found guilty of second-degree murder — a killing that occurs during the commission of another felony — or third-degree murder — a killing committed with malice — as well as robbery. A conviction of second-degree murder carries a mandatory life prison sentence.
Prosecutors contend Williams and a second person who has never been identified shot and killed their victim as they attempted to steal money and drugs. Anthone Williams, no relation to the accused shooter, was shot three times as he sat in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle in front of an abandoned housing project in New Kensington, police said.
During last year’s trial, evidence was presented that Latresse Williams’ DNA was found on the suspected murder weapon, and police said he later confessed to his role in the fatal shooting.
Williams, during a court appearance Friday, asked to have a new lawyer appointed for his defense. He claimed he had a breakdown in communication with attorney Jaclyn Shaw, who took over the case last year following his initial trial.
“I feel like there is no communication. I never talked to this lady until I came to court,” Williams said.
Shaw said she was willing to continue to work with Williams and is continuing to prepare for the retrial.
Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears rejected Williams’ request for a new lawyer. In doing so, the judge cited the numerous attorneys, at least four to date, who have represented Williams since he was charged in 2021.
“We have to keep this moving,” Mears said.
Williams has two additional cases pending, including allegations that he attempted to kill four people in 2019. Police contend Williams shot at three people in a parked vehicle and another nearby with the same same gun that fired the shots that killed Anthone Williams a year later.
That trial has not been scheduled.