A hearing to discuss requests in the case of a teenager accused of murder in Butler Township was postponed. The defense team added a new attorney who said there is important evidence that still needs to be checked.
Lawyer Theron Solomon has joined lawyer Matthew T. Muckler in defending Meyers, 18, who is accused of shooting Kassadey Matulevich, 17, to death inside her home on Sand Hollow Drive in Butler Township on Aug. 27, 2022.
The prosecution claims Meyers, who was 17 at the time, shot Matulevich because he was talking to a 14-year-old girl, while Solomon and Muckler argue that it was an accident due to intoxication.
During a short court session with Judge Michael T. Vough, Solomon mentioned that there is still evidence, such as phone records and recordings from the correctional facility, that needs to be reviewed.
Vough postponed the hearing but warned both the defense team and the prosecutors that the trial will take place in October.
Meyers’ trial has been postponed twice before.
Judge Vough strongly stated that he doesn't want to reschedule the case.
The trial is expected to last one week.
Shortly after Solomon joined Muckler to defend Meyers against charges of homicide and other offenses, they filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming that the shooting was an accident due to their relationship being typical for young people.
The attorneys argue that the shooting was not intentional, as Meyers was intoxicated when he handled the firearm recklessly.
Meyers arrived at Matulevich’s house visibly drunk and carrying a gun.
Solomon and Muckler claimed that Matulevich asked Meyers how drunk he was, and he responded with “11” on a scale of 1 to 10.
When Meyers arrived at Matulevich’s house, he also had a bottle of liquor, according to his attorneys.
The attorneys argued that Meyers was not intending to shoot, as he was intoxicated and mishandled the firearm, causing it to go off accidentally.
In their motion, Solomon and Muckler also requested to keep protesters away from the courthouse and prevent Matulevich’s family and friends from wearing clothing with her picture, fearing it could prejudice the jury.
Vough said he will allocate a whole day for the hearing.
