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Girl, 17, facing trial on charges of killing man in McKees Rocks
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A district judge Friday held a 17-year-old Coraopolis girl for trial on charges of killing a 19-year-old man May 24 in McKees Rocks.
Police said Destiny Brown confessed that she shot Marshawn Ptomey after he pushed her to the ground and was fighting with Destiny's friend, Tyler Mayhugh, 16. Destiny and Tyler were walking on Russellwood Avenue when they encountered Mr. Ptomey.
"Mr. Mayhugh was engaged in some sort of confrontation with Mr. Ptomey at which point Ms. Brown pulled a firearm from her purse and shot Mr. Ptomey," Allegheny County police Detective Patrick Miller testified.
Destiny stood still and silent in handcuffs during the arraignment.
Defense attorney Milton Raiford argued that a "gang" of 12-25 other men were also on the street and that Mr. Ptomey had a history of making sexually inappropriate comments to Destiny in school.
"You can use deadly force when you're confronted with deadly force," Mr. Raiford said. "There's a gang of guys there and this guy knocks her to the ground."
Assistant District Attorney Rob Schupansky countered that Destiny's behavior did not match that of a justified killing. "She never called the police, she fled and changed her clothes," Mr. Schupansky said.
Police said Destiny confessed that she ran from the scene and changed her clothing at her mother's house before throwing the old clothes into a dumpster and the gun into the river.
Mr. Raiford repeatedly alluded to the danger of the neighborhood and the threat to Destiny, who was the only girl on the street.
"They were trying to make my brother out to be some gang member," Mr. Ptomey's sister, Sonya Smith, 25, of McKees Rocks said after the hearing. "He was a great kid."
In addition to homicide, Destiny is charged with tampering with evidence and carrying a firearm as a minor and without a license.
Her arraignment is scheduled for July 16. She is being held without bail in Allegheny County Jail.
First Published June 16, 2012 12:00 am
