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Espy Street-Middle Road intersection closure begins Monday in Nanticoke

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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A county judge on Wednesday placed a detainer on a wanted man who prosecutors say is a material witness to a fatal stabbing allegedly carried out by a man nicknamed &#8220;Sin.&#8221;</p><p>Seth Thomas Hughes, 22, was jailed after police discovered an outstanding warrant during a traffic stop in Hazleton on Oct. 20. Police learned Hughes was wanted in Worcester County, Maryland, on charges he failed to appear for a weapons offense, according to an affidavit.</p><p>Prosecutors say Hughes, of West Hazleton, was an eyewitness to the Sept. 3 stabbing of Lashaun Overton. Overton, 34, was fatally stabbed in the chest following an altercation outside an apartment building.</p><p>According to court records, police responding to a report of gunshots in the area of 21st and Grant streets just before 11:30 p.m. Sept. 3 found an unresponsive Overton lying in the west end of the parking lot of 1000 Grant St. with blood under his body, as well as two knives lying on the ground near the victim, one containing blood.</p><p>Witnesses said gunshots were heard and Overton was seen walking and holding his chest before falling to the ground. He was transported by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital &#8211; Hazleton, where he was pronounced dead.</p><p>Hazleton police charged Gene Anthony Hawkins, 45, known as &#8220;Sin,&#8221; with criminal homicide in the case.</p><p>Hazleton police Detective Joseph Labert said Hughes&#8217; testimony is essential in the case because he was with Overton during the incident and can directly identify Hawkins as the actor. Prosecutors on Monday <a href="www.timesleader.com/news/local/526165/das-office-petitions-for-bail-to-ensure-appearance-of-material-witness-at-murder-trial" target="_blank">petitioned the court to establish bail</a> for Hughes to ensure his appearance as a material witness.</p><p>Prosecutors said they feared Hughes was attempting to use his prison sentence as a means to avoid being interviewed by investigators. Labert and Luzerne County Detective Charles Balogh said they have not heard from Hughes since October.</p><p>To ensure Hughes will be returned to the county after serving his sentence, Luzerne County Judge Tina Polachek Gartley placed a detainer on him. Once he has answered his charges in Maryland and is returned to the county, the judge said, bail conditions can be set.</p><p>Hughes was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility awaiting extradition.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Hughes </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_web1_hughes.jpg</photo0><caption0>Hughes </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Joe Dolinsky</p><p>jdolinsky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Judge places detainer on witness to fatal Hazleton stabbing