Pocono News Section

Accused Murderer Brought Back to Pittston

Accused Murderer Brought Back to Pittston - Friday, March 7, 2008 at 5:49PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Friday, Mar 7, 2008 @05:49pm EST

An alleged killed returns to Luzerne county in handcuffs.

Police say 19 year old Marcellus Thomas of Hughestown burst into a Pittston home last October, and started shooting.

Thomas was arrested in Philadelphia a few days after the shooting.

He's been in jail there ever since, on unrelated charges.

But today, police brought him back here to answer to a murder charge.

Thomas was escorted into the state police barracks in Wyoming.

WBRE news the only crew on the scene for this.

Thomas was booked there, then arraigned in front of a judge in Pittston.

Police say Thomas pulled the trigger in a deadly shooting on market street in Pittston, back in October.

19 year old John Johnson of Pittston was killed.

Another man, Jason Pagliente was shot and injured.

Police say Pagliente was the target because he allegedly robbed Thomas's friend.

It was supposedly a retaliation shooting, and the district attorney's office has been patiently waiting for Thomas's return.

Luzerne county assistant district attorney Sam Sanguedolce says, "Quite frankly, our office along with the state police and in Pittston are relieved to have him back in the county where we can have a more close control over the timing of the prosecution in this matter"

Sanguedolce went on to say this case is eligible for the death penalty.

The next time we'll see Thomas is for his preliminary hearing.