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Anti-cop pot suspect to go on trial this week

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Oregon Blockbuster outlasts others to become last on Earth

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The trial of a West Hazleton man accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old during a botched drug deal last summer has been postponed, allowing lawyers more time to respond to a defense motion.</p><p>Brandon Joseph Gambardella, 19, appeared before Luzerne County Judge Fred A. Pierantoni III on Monday. He is accused in the death of Anthony Bonney, 17, who he allegedly shot on June 18 at a Freeland park after Bonney attempted to sell him drywall shavings and baking soda as cocaine.</p><p>Gambardella&#8217;s trial was originally set to begin in early April, but Pierantoni noted an omnibus pre-trial motion filed by defense attorney Mark Bufalino, Gambardella&#8217;s attorney.</p><p>The filing actually is a series of motions, asking for the court to consider numerous requests, including suppressing several pieces of evidence.</p><p>The defense is seeking to have numerous pieces of evidence blocked from the trial, including any and all videos or photos of the victim and the crime scene, Gambardella&#8217;s past criminal record, along with any and all statements made by Gambardella to the police during his initial questioning. Bufalino is claiming the questioning was a violation of Gambardella&#8217;s constitutional freedoms.</p><p><strong>Venue change sought</strong></p><p>Bufalino is also asking for Gambardella&#8217;s trial to be moved to another location, saying the publicity the alleged crime received would unnecessarily prejudice a jury pool, and additionally claims that items seized from Gambardella as evidence were seized illegally.</p><p>This omnibus motion was filed late last week, leading Pierantoni to schedule a hearing for April 3, during which prosecutors will be allowed to respond to the defense&#8217;s motion.</p><p>The hearing will be held after the trial&#8217;s original start date of April 1, which means the trial will have to be pushed back. Pierantoni said he would set a new date based on the outcome of the hearing. </p><p>According to police, Bonney, along with James Joseph Shanda, agreed to sell &#8220;cocaine&#8221; to Gambardella, despite not actually having the drug, deciding to sell him the mix of baking soda and drywall.</p><p>The pair fled after Gambardella asked to test the drug, and Gambardella allegedly fired shots off in their direction.</p><p>Bonney died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center hours later after he suffered a gunshot wound to the head.</p><p>Currently, Gambardella remains locked up at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility pending his next court appearance.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Police: Botched drug deal led to shooting</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Trial postponed in Freeland slaying