An Arabic interpreter suddenly disconnected from a video conference during Wadee Thaer Dwikat's preliminary hearing, causing District Judge David Barilla to postpone the proceeding to a later date.
Dwikat, 21, of Exeter, faces charges for shooting Bakar Zayad Audaall on Christmas night during a burglary at a residence in Courtdale.
Investigators claim that Audaall was shot shortly after entering the residence while Dwikat was attempting to steal firearms during a burglary.
Audaall was shot in the chest and received treatment at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township.
Dwikat is charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, and criminal trespass.
The preliminary hearing at the Luzerne County Courthouse was delayed by 27 minutes due to Dwikat’s attorney, Demetrius Fannick, being involved in a previous proceeding.
The Arabic interpreter was scheduled for one hour from 9 a.m to 10 a.m.
The interpreter left at 10:01 a.m., leaving Audaall on the witness stand during cross-examination by Fannick. It seemed like Fannick intended to ask more questions when the interpreter left.
During his testimony, Audaall mentioned that he was in Florida with his wife and Dwikat for vacation, but returned separately from Dwikat on Christmas Day.
Audaall said he spoke with Dwikat on the phone, and Dwikat indicated that he was arriving at the Philadelphia International Airport and planning to go to New York City.
After arriving at his Kingston residence, Audaall went to the Courtdale residence he owns.
While on the phone with his sister, Audaall said he was shot in the kitchen and ran out to call for help.
Audaall was found by the police along Memorial Highway.
Dwikat visited Audaall at the hospital.
During questioning by Fannick, Audaall stated that the lights were off inside the residence, and he did not see the gunman.
Court records indicate that investigators matched surveillance footage showing Dwikat leaving the residence after the shooting.
Barilla announced that a new date for the preliminary hearing will be arranged.
Dwikat, who is held without bail at the county correctional facility, was arrested in Warren, Ohio, by the Warren Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Task Force on Jan. 16 on charges related to the shooting.
