A man from New York City accused of killing his roommate in West Hazleton in 2020 has chosen not to have a preliminary hearing. This means the charge of criminal homicide will go to Luzerne County Court.
Giovanni Morales, 27, of Brooklyn, was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police at Hazleton with killing Jonathan Hernandez on June 26, 2020, according to court records.
According to court records, Morales came to Luzerne County on June 24, 2020, to live with Hernandez at an apartment on Winters Avenue in West Hazleton. They planned to work together at different construction sites.
According to court records, a supervisor went to the Winters Avenue apartment and found Hernandez’s body.
Morales fled the area and was once on the state police “Ten Most Wanted” list.
Morales was arrested for robbing a bank in Hartford, Conn., in November 2023. During the bank robbery investigation, authorities in Hartford learned of Morale’s true identity and discovered the arrest warrant charging him with criminal homicide in West Pittston.
Morales was brought back from Connecticut in February.
Prosecutors dropped charges of robbery and theft against Morales. He remains in jail at the county correctional facility without bail.