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<p>NANTICOKE &#8212; Antoine McNeal is heading to trial for allegedly killing a man earlier this year while the victim sat inside a van.</p><p>McNeal, 32, appeared before District Judge Donald Whittaker for a preliminary hearing Friday. Afterward, Whittaker sent McNeal&#8217;s charges of homicide, prohibited possession of a firearm, criminal use of a communication facility, and tampering with evidence to county court.</p><p>McNeal is accused of fatally shooting Brandon Smith, 20, outside a residence at 185 W. Church St. on Jan. 18.</p><p>Tensions ran high before the hearing began, as McNeal&#8217;s girlfriend Wakeelah Moore and some of Smith&#8217;s family members appeared to exchange words.</p><p>According to a complaint:</p><p>Luzerne County 911 received a call around 2 a.m. Jan. 18 from Tina Letavish about the shooting.</p><p>Letavish, the victim&#8217;s mother, told police Smith was texting on his flip phone on a couch near the front door when he went outside around 2 a.m. When he came back inside, he ran to the kitchen yelling &#8220;they shot me&#8221; before falling to the floor.</p><p>Trooper Ed Urban testified that Smith suffered two gunshot wounds to his chest area.</p><p>Investigators examining the phone found a text trail between Smith and an unknown number arranging what appeared to be a drug deal.</p><p>Police later met with Jacqulynn Moore, of South Hancock Street, Wilkes-Barre, who confirmed the unknown number belonged to her daughter, Wakeelah.</p><p>Wakeelah told police McNeal was her boyfriend and he was texting about receiving marijuana. She said she and McNeal drove to Nanticoke the night of the murder. Wakeelah, who was driving the car, parked on Fairchild Street. About two to three minutes later, McNeal told her &#8220;we gotta get out of here, they are shooting.&#8221;</p><p>Wakeelah said she owned a .38-caliber revolver, but misplaced the firearm.</p><p>Police determined Smith was actually shot inside Letavish&#8217;s white Chrysler Town and Country van.</p><p>McNeal was <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/652875/police-arrest-suspect-in-nanticoke-homicide-from-january" target="_blank">arrested in Wilkes-Barre</a> in April. Wakeelah was also arrested for hindering apprehension and drug offenses.</p><p>A formal arraignment date for McNeal was not immediately known Friday. He remains jailed in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_web1_McNeal-6-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">McNeal </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_web1_McNeal-6-4.jpg</photo0><caption0>McNeal </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL060317McNeal-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Antoine McNeal arrives to his preliminary hearing in Nanticoke on Friday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL060317McNeal-3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Antoine McNeal arrives to his preliminary hearing in Nanticoke on Friday. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Man accused in fatal Nanticoke shooting heading to county court