Historic Ashley Planes site off Luzerne County tax auction roster

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Judges dismiss petition to audit Tony George’s campaign finances

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; More charges may be forthcoming for a couple accused of gunning down a Hunlock Township man and his son.</p><p>Prosecutors filed a pair of motions Monday in Luzerne County Court requesting a judge allow the addition of two counts each of criminal conspiracy to commit homicide to the charges against James Edward Roche and Holly Crawford.</p><p>Judge Fred A. Pierantoni III scheduled a hearing on the matter for Aug. 27.</p><p>Roche, 33, and Crawford, 40, both of Sweet Valley, each already face a pair of open counts of criminal homicide. They are being tried separately.</p><p>According to police, the couple on April 21, 2014, drove to the Sunset Lake Road home of Ronald &#8220;Barney&#8221; Evans to confront the 73-year-old. Roche and Crawford were watching the film &#8220;Boondock Saints,&#8221; police say, and a character reminded Roche of Evans.</p><p>In amended court papers, prosecutors allege Roche and Crawford committed conspiracy to commit criminal homicide when they agreed to drive to Evans&#8217;s home.</p><p>Upon arrival at the residence, Crawford went to the door to lure Evans out. In a recording of his statement to police, Roche can be heard saying he did not intend to kill Evans, but fired on him with a .22-caliber rifle because he was brandishing a pistol.</p><p>In the same recording, Roche also tells police he shot Jeffrey Evans, 43, out of fear he, too, was armed.</p><p>Crawford can be heard in another recording also admitting to the crime.</p><p>Defense attorneys moved earlier this year to suppress the statements and argued against their use at a pair of hearings in late February.</p><p>Roche testified that he was drunk and had just taken a number of pills when police found them at about 3:30 p.m. on April 23, and described his memory of the day as &#8220;foggy.&#8221;</p><p>Crawford testified that she awoke from an alcohol-induced slumber to state police arresting her and subsequently dragging her from the woods because she said she couldn&#8217;t walk. She said she felt &#8220;disconnected&#8221; at the time of the interview.</p><p>Documents presented in court indicated the recorded interviews were conducted nearly seven hours after the defendants&#8217; apprehension. Prior to the interviews they were provided with pizza, soda and afforded a number of breaks as they spoke with police.</p><p>Pierantoni in March denied the motions.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">James Edward Roche arrives at the Luzerne County Courthouse in February for a pretrial hearing. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL022715crawford1.jpg</photo0><caption0>James Edward Roche arrives at the Luzerne County Courthouse in February for a pretrial hearing. </caption0><photoCredit0>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL022715crawford2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A sheriff&#8217;s deputy escorts Holly Crawford from the Luzerne County Courthouse in February. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL022715crawford2.jpg</photo1><caption1>A sheriff&#8217;s deputy escorts Holly Crawford from the Luzerne County Courthouse in February. </caption1><photoCredit1>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By James O&#8217;Malley</p><p>jomalley@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach James O&#8217;Malley at 570-991-6390 or on Twitter @TL_omalley.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Prosecutors seek conspiracy charges in 2014 double homicide in Hunlock Township