Capital project contracts awarded for Mohegan Sun Arena

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Scranton man charged in May crash that killed Wilkes-Barre motorcyclist

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; An alleged Philadelphia gang member <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/491307/pair-accused-of-execution-style-shootings-heading-to-higher-court" target="_blank">accused of trying to kill two people last year at a local apartment complex</a> is heading for trial, but not before coming close to taking a plea deal in which he would be sentenced to 12&#189; to 25 years in prison.</p><p>Tony &#8220;Hazard&#8221; Edwards, stood Monday before Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas with his attorney, Demetrius Fannick, answering questions relating to a plea deal in regard to Edward&#8217;s alleged participation in the April 2015 execution-style shootings of two people at the Interfaith Heights apartment complex in Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>The attempted homicides were allegedly motivated by a drug debt owed to Wandalee Balcacer, also a defendant in the case. <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/544643/judge-consolidates-cases-of-pair-accused-of-execution-style-shootings-at-interfaith-heights" target="_blank">A Luzerne County judge previously consolidated Edwards&#8217; and Balcacer&#8217;s cases in May</a>.</p><p>During Monday&#8217;s proceedings, Edwards answered questions haltingly and repeatedly turned around to face those seated in the courtroom.</p><p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s pick 12 &#8212; I changed my mind,&#8221; Edwards said at one point.</p><p>Lupas asked Fannick if Edwards had been fully informed of the meaning of the proceedings, to which Fannick replied that he had spent several hours with Edwards to explain the terms of the plea agreement.</p><p>At one point, Lupas directed Edwards to spend more time with his attorney to determine if he would indeed take a deal or proceed to trial.</p><p>When he returned to court, Edwards told the judge he had not been fully informed of the nature of the charges or the case against him. &#8220;I&#8217;ve seen today that there were 22 witnesses,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But initially, they said only 11 witnesses.&#8221;</p><p>First Assistant District Attorney Samuel M. Sanguedolce told Edwards that if he took the plea, the number of potential witnesses would not affect his case. Sanguedolce then summarized the offenses against Edwards and the facts of the case.</p><p>When Edwards still refused to succinctly answer Lupas&#8217; questions regarding the plea deal, the judge admonished him.</p><p>&#8220;The district attorney has informed you about the nature of the plea deal,&#8221; Lupas said. &#8220;You know the statutory penalties and the range of sentences.&#8221;</p><p>When Edwards again refused to answer, and interjected, &#8220;Well, I really don&#8217;t know &#8212; maybe I want to go to trial,&#8221; Sanguedolce said he was withdrawing the proposed plea agreement, although Lupas again gave Edwards an opportunity to review the deal before it was withdrawn.</p><p>Balcacer did not appear before the judge Monday, and District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis, watching the proceedings from the back of the courtroom, said there had been no movement in that part of the case as of that afternoon.</p><p>Lupas scheduled jury selection in the case for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_wandaleebalcacer-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Wandalee Balcacer arrives at the Luzerne County Courthouse Monday in preparation for attempted murder trial, jury selection for which was scheduled to begin that day. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_wandaleebalcacer-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Wandalee Balcacer arrives at the Luzerne County Courthouse Monday in preparation for attempted murder trial, jury selection for which was scheduled to begin that day. </caption0><photoCredit0>Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_tonyedwards01-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Tony Edwards arrives at the Luzerne County Courthouse on Monday for jury selection in his attempted murder trial. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_tonyedwards01-2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Tony Edwards arrives at the Luzerne County Courthouse on Monday for jury selection in his attempted murder trial. </caption1><photoCredit1>Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Interfaith Heights shooting suspect refuses plea deal, headed for trial