Columbia County coroner to discuss drug epidemic

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Union wants fired Wilkes-Barre police officer reinstated to department

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; An alleged drug dealer charged with the attempted execution-style homicides of two people last year was denied reduced bail Wednesday.</p><p>Prosecutors say Wandalee Balcacer, 26, and Philadelphia gang member Tony &#8220;Hazard&#8221; Edwards, 29, attempted to kill Sherry &#8220;Chyna&#8221; Rivera and Izhar Ramos-Martinez in a hallway at the Interfaith Heights apartment complex on April 4, 2015, in a dispute over a $3,800 drug debt.</p><p>Both victims survived gunshots to their heads.</p><p>In a brief hearing in Luzerne County Court, Assistant District Attorney Luke P. Moran urged Judge David W. Lupas to reject a motion to reduce Balcacer&#8217;s $500,000 bail because there were no conditions at the court&#8217;s disposal that would protect the community if she were released.</p><p>&#8220;This defendant certainly poses a threat to the community at large,&#8221; Moran argued.</p><p>Balcacer, according to a police affidavit, allegedly pressed Rivera&#8217;s head to the ground and pointed it in the direction of Ramos-Martinez, moments before Edwards shot him in the back of the head at point-blank range.</p><p>The violent confrontation allegedly stemmed from a debt owed to Balcacer by Rivera for marijuana. The affidavit says the two women were involved in a romantic relationship prior to the shootings. Balcacer ordered Edwards to collect the money after she and Rivera broke things off, the affidavit says.</p><p>Balcacer&#8217;s attorney, John I. McMahon, argued Wednesday that Balcacer had no prior criminal record and turned herself in to authorities. He further stated Balcacer has ties to the Wilkes-Barre area and isn&#8217;t a flight risk.</p><p>&#8220;She&#8217;s not going to try to run away,&#8221; McMahon said.</p><p>Moran argued Balcacer has contacts in the Allentown region and only came forward following the shootings at the urging of her attorney.</p><p>&#8220;The Commonwealth&#8217;s grave concern is for the safety of the community,&#8221; Moran said.</p><p>Citing the nature of the charges, Lupas denied the motion and ordered Balcacer to be returned to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.</p><p>Balcacer is charged with two counts each of criminal homicide and conspiracy to commit criminal homicide. Prosecutors said she faces a minimum of 40 years in prison if convicted.</p><p>She is expected to stand trial as early as June, prosecutors said.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Wandalee-Balcacer-10-6-15.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Balcacer </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Wandalee-Balcacer-10-6-15.jpg</photo0><caption0>Balcacer </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 denies bail reduction for woman charged in execution-style shootings at Interfaith Heights