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Trump gets waxed: Madame Tussauds prepares figure for exhibit

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Cops: No clean getaway for twins who stole 180 bars of soap

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The attorney for a Hazleton man accused of gunning down a rival drug dealer argued Monday against introducing evidence the alleged killer set up the victim prior to his murder.</p><p>Luzerne County prosecutors are seeking to present to jurors next month evidence of Jancarlos Perez&#8217;s drug history, including a claim he told state police when and where Jose Concepcion could be found in possession of heroin. Both men bought drugs from the same supplier, but Concepcion was the more adept of the two, prosecutors said.</p><p>Concepcion, 23, was found dead in January in the same location authorities arrested him six months earlier on Perez&#8217;s tip, prosecutors said in a motion filed last month.</p><p>But the accused killer&#8217;s attorney, Jack McMahon, argued it &#8220;makes no sense&#8221; that informing on Concepcion would serve as a motive for murder.</p><p>&#8220;It is unclear from (prosecutors&#8217; filing) how acting as a confidential informant for the police provides a motive for murder,&#8221; McMahon wrote in a response filed Monday in Luzerne County Court, noting Perez may have acted as an informant on other cases. Introducing the evidence would only prejudice a jury, McMahon added.</p><p>&#8220;The issue of illegal drug distribution in Luzerne County is a particularly sensitive issue and can easily spoil a jury,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Perez, 22, remains jailed without bail at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. He is expected to stand trial in January.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Perez_Jancarlos_toned-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Perez </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Perez_Jancarlos_toned-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Perez </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>

Accused killer’s attorney: Setting up victim ‘makes no sense’ as motive in shooting