Pocono News Section

Alleged Scranton Double Shooter in Court

Alleged Scranton Double Shooter in Court - Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 5:40PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A Scranton native will go to trial for a double shooting two months ago. Joseph Olecki, who now lives in Altoona, was back in court Wednesday afternoon.
Attempted murder and other charges were all bound over against him. Olecki's hearing lasted two hours and six witnesses were called.

Both of the shooting victims took the stand. They testified about their injuries, but both said they didn't see the person who shot at them.

It’s been two months since Michael and Lindsay Ross were both shot in front of their children outside this home on Beech Street in South Scranton.

Wednesday prosecutors said shell casings and surveillance video will tie Joseph Olecki to the crime. Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico said, “There are such a series of coincidences that point to guilt to this defendant."

Prosecutors say the biggest evidence will be cell phone records the day of the shooting. “At 2 PM, he's in Hollidaysburg, near Altoona, then at 5:46, one minute after the dispatch, his cell phone is hitting off a tower on Spruce Street. I can't imagine what would have brought him here," said Talerico.

Defense Attorney Tom Dickey says ‘not so fast.’ In my experience with these things, there's a lot of problems with that type of data and information."

Several neighbors including Kim Hedglin took the stand Wednesday. She's a neighbor and lifelong friend with Olecki who saw the gunman, but couldn't point the finger at him. “She clearly didn't identify him as either being that person, or looking like that person and we think that's strong evidence," Dickey.

Also on the stand was Mike Roche of Altoona. He's also a friend of Olecki's and testified Olecki admitted to the shooting. He is currently on parole. “I don't know what type of deal or benefit that he's expecting to get from the commonwealth, but we believe he'd have an interest in working for the commonwealth."

Prosecutor Gene Talerico responded by saying, “Pure speculation. Pure speculation on his part and without it, there's enough."

Several of Olecki's family members were in court. They didn't want to go on camera. Olecki's lawyer also asked for his $350,000 bail to be reduced. That motion was denied.