A Penn Hills man pleaded guilty Thursday to killing a woman in January 2016 after she refused his advance at a bar.
Charles McKinney, 44, pleaded guilty to one count each of third-degree murder, resisting arrest, fleeing and eluding and two counts each of recklessly endangering another person and firearms violations.
McKinney shot and killed Ja-Nese Jackson Talton, 29, of Penn Hills, outside of Cliff’s Bar. Police said McKinney killed her in cold blood and drove off after Talton didn't flirt back with him, police said.
In exchange for his plea, McKinney was sentenced to 20-40 years in prison and three years’ probation.
Talton is the sister of State Rep. Ed Gainey. On Thursday, her family filled the jury box and there were almost not enough seats in the packed courtroom. There were extra sheriff's deputies stationed inside because the case was so emotional.
The family became upset in court when McKinney apologized for killing Talton and called it a tragic accident. McKinney's attorney maintained that it was an accident.
"He never meant to shoot her. He didn't mean to kill her. They were friends. They partied together regularly.
"A tragic accident, you don't run from the scene. He had enough facility to understand that he committed a crime," Jacob Talton said.
Four family members gave impact statements to the judge, including Talton's father, Jacob Talton.
"She was my heart. She was my baby girl," Jacob Talton said.
The victim's family members said the only tragic accident is that her three children will now grow up without a mother.
Before Judge Jill Rangos sentenced McKinney, she told the victim's family that she can't imagine what they're going through and doesn't know if she could survive losing a child.
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