A trial is slated to be held early next year for Brian Martin, who is accused in the shooting death of 42-year-old David Corey on May 5 in Ridgway.
Martin, 36, of Johnsonburg is charged with criminal homicide, a first-degree felony; discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, a third-degree felony; and recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor.
The charges were bound to Elk County Court at a preliminary hearing July 10, and Martin had a status conference in the case Oct. 28 at the courthouse.
Attorneys with the prosecution want a trial in early January, according to a report in the Ridgway Record. The trial is expected to take three to five days.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Simquita Bridges and Deputy Attorney General Alicia Werner. Reynoldsville lawyer Joseph Ryan is representing Martin, court records indicate.
The criminal complaint alleges that at 2:15 a.m. May 5, Ridgway Borough Police were dispatched to Cully’s bar at 231 W. Main St., Ridgway, for a report of shots fired. Police arrived to see Martin being detained by another male outside the front door of the establishment.
Inside, police saw Corey lying on the floor by the entrance. He was transported by ambulance to Penn Highlands Elk, where he died, records stated.
Martin told police he had a license to carry a concealed weapon and would keep one in the back of his waistband. He said the alleged victim attacked him, striking him in the back of the head several times, and he could not defend himself, according to the complaint.
Martin said he “felt he was in danger and retrieved the weapon from the back of his waist band and began firing the weapon at the victim,” the complaint stated.
Martin had no apparent injuries, while Corey had four gunshot wounds, according to the complaint.
Ryan plans to build a case of self defense for Martin, the Ridgway Record indicated.
Martin is being held in Elk County Jail without bail.
