Pocono News Section

Friend Testifies At Chris Hahn Hearing

Friend Testifies At Chris Hahn Hearing - Friday, May 9, 2008 at 4:35PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Friday, May 9, 2008 @ 04:35pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- 20-year-old John Carrill describes his best friend, Christopher Hahn, as a wonderful person, the type of guy who would bend over backwards for anyone. On Friday, John Carrill testified in court about the murder charges against his friend. Hahn remains locked up for allegedly killing his older brother, Stephen.

This Mother's Day will likely be a difficult one for Theodora Hahn and her family. Joseph Kalinowski is Christopher Hahn’s Public Defender, "The family has one son's who's now dead, another one who's in the Lackawanna County Prison and the other serving his country in Iraq."

Police say Hahn’s middle son Christopher shot and killed her oldest son Stephen. Investigators say it happened last February at Chris Hahn's apartment in Jessup.

The brothers' friend John Carrill witnessed the whole thing. He spoke exclusively to WBRE News right after it happened. John Carrill said, "He (Chris) told Stephen to get the hell out of the house. Steve kept antagonizing him saying 'what are you gunna’ do? Shoot me? Then Steve spit in Chris's face. One thing led to another, a struggle occurred and the gun went off through Steve's throat. "

On Friday Carrill told the court he tried to step in and stop the battling brothers. Carrill added, "I tried to get involved, tried to stop him and what not. And watched him fall to the ground and he died in my hands."

All three, Carrill testified, had been drinking. Carrill stated, “I grabbed the phone and called police. Chris was freaking out. Reporter Jill Konopka asked, ‘Was Chris drunk?’ John Carrill replied, ‘Yeah, both of them were pretty hammered.’ “

Two investigators also testified Chris Hahn confessed to the crime. When Olyphant Chief John Gilgallon arrived at Hahn's home on Gallagher Street, he says Chris was upset and excited and admitted he accidentally shot his brother.

Public Defender Joseph Kalinowski added, "Chris is doing the best he can under the circumstance. It's not easy, but we've had several conversations. We think he's doing alright under the circumstances. In regards to his Mom, she's strong and she's doing the best she can too."

The Hahn hearing will continue later this month.