Mom takes guilty plea in teen death
WILKES-BARRE - A woman accused of helping her son cover up the shooting death of a 14-year-old unexpectedly pleaded guilty Thursday, a move that abruptly ended her trial.
A judge's decision to dismiss the most serious charge against 31-year-old Angelina Deabreu, 31 - corruption of minors - led to an emotional whirlwind of a day in court, forcing prosecutors into plea negotiations after learning they couldn't appeal the ruling.
Ms. Deabreu pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and two counts of hindering prosecution.
After her son, Elijah Yussuf, accidentally shot Tyler at her home at 117 Hill St. in Wilkes-Barre April 5, 2012, Ms. Deabreu hid the gun, cleaned the crime scene and backed Elijah's claim that Tyler was shot in a drive-by, prosecutors said.
Men arrested for home invasion
BEAR CREEK - State police arrested three men Thursday and were seeking a fourth in connection with a violent home-invasion robbery in which an elderly couple was bound and blindfolded in April 2012.
William Albert Gronosky, 30, of Nanticoke, and Charles R. Conden, 46, of Hanover Twp., were arraigned Thursday on a litany of felony charges including burglary, felony conspiracy, aggravated assault and theft in connection with the robbery in April 2012. Wesley Hendricks, 51, of Wilkes-Barre turned himself in to state police later that day on charges of burglary, robbery and two counts of conspiracy.
State police have a warrant charging an alleged accomplice, Nathaniel L. Vestal, 39, of Wilkes-Barre, with similar crimes. He remains on the run, Trooper Tom Kelly said.