BEAVER COUNTY — The homicide trial for 23-year-old Sheldon Jeter began Thursday in connection with the death of his childhood friend and roommate, Tyric Pugh.
Last May, police said Pugh was found dead lying on Kiehl Street in Aliquippa after being shot multiple times.
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This is the second time Jeter has been questioned in a murder investigation. The first was in the unsolved vase of a Beaver County schoolteacher who was killed: Rachael Deltondo. She was shot and killed in her parents’ driveway on Mother’s Day three years ago. The two had an on-again, off-again relationship. Jeter denied any involvement in her death and was never charged.
In Pugh’s case, however, investigators said there’s an abundance of evidence. In opening statements, prosecutors said Pugh was found with seven gunshot wounds, five of which were to his head. They also said the murder weapon was found under Jeter’s mattress and forensics matched the gun with shell casings and bullet fragments found at the scene.
The defense said there’s a lack of motive.
“It’s very clear they will not be presenting a motive in this case because they do not have one and I think that’s a big issue,” said Jeter’s attorney, Mike Santicola. “The evidence brought by the district attorney was no surprise.”
The trial is expected to last several weeks.
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