A Westmoreland County judge on Wednesday rejected an attempt by a Jeannette man to withdraw his guilty plea in connection with a 2019 fatal shooting outside a Jeannette High School football game.
Greg A. Harper, 46, contended he was not properly represented when his former defense lawyer advised him to plead guilty to a lesser count of third-degree murder.
Harper, who was sentenced to 11 to 25 years in prison, claimed he was promised a two-year sentence in exchange for the plea.
The plea was entered in 2022 as Harper faced a potential life sentence for first-degree murder. As part of his appeal, Harper claimed he wanted to pursue a self-defense claim at trial.
Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger, in a 17-page ruling, found Harper’s appeal was without merit.
“In the guilty plea … defendant was informed of the elements of the crime to which he was pleading, he admitted he was pleading guilty because he was guilty and he was made aware that he was innocent until he was proven guilty and of the possible sentence that could be imposed upon his plea,” Krieger wrote.
Prosecutors contended Harper and Damieian Williams, 48, argued at the gate of McKee Stadium on Sept. 6, 2019, while about 1,500 spectators watched Jeannette High School play Imani Christian Academy.
After police heard reports of shots fired, Williams was found outside the stadium’s Park Street gate with a wound to the abdomen.
Authorities said Williams was unarmed when he was shot and killed by Harper.
Police said Harper was jealous and believed Williams and his former wife were in a romantic relationship. During a prior court hearing, Harper said he feared for his safety because Williams had previous convictions for violent crimes.
During an appeal hearing last summer, former defense attorney Pat Thomassey denied suggesting Harper would receive a two-year sentence. Thomassey testified that Harper ultimately agreed to the deal to ensure he would not receive a life sentence.