May 24, 2002 By Jennifer Harr 2 min read

Two Fayette County men charged with criminal homicide in unrelated cases rejected first-degree murder pleas Thursday. Both Torey Vaughn Peterson, 22, of Allison and Herbert Carl Herrington, 24, of Point Marion, indicated that they wish to have a juries decide their fates. A plea to first-degree murder would mean a mandatory life sentence.

Herrington is charged in the Nov. 16 stabbing death of 28-year-old Charles Edward Cramer. State police allege the men got into a fight at a party at a Springhill Township home. While the men were fighting outside, police said Herrington’s girlfriend, Melissa Masi, brought a knife outside.

Herrington, according to court records, told police that he just reached behind him while he was pinned underneath Cramer and his hand found the knife. He stopped answering questions when police asked if Masi brought him the weapon.

The knife’s 8-inch blade pierced Cramer’s lung, killing him, said police.

The party was being held at the 193 Sadler St. Extension home of Clarence L. Leppard, said police.

Herrington recently asked a judge to suppress statements he made to police in the wake of the stabbing. Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi, who heard the motion, denied it.

Through his attorney, Public Defender Jeffrey Whiteko, Herrington also asked to have his trial delayed until at least August. District Attorney did not oppose the delay and Judge John F. Wagner Jr. agreed to put off the trial.

Whiteko also represents Peterson, who allegedly fatally shot 23-year-old William Eric Mason on Jan. 11. Police said the two got into a fight inside Apartment 1605 in the Hunters Ridge housing project.

Police said Mason came to that unit around 4 a.m. and starting yelling at the occupants. Peterson reportedly told authorities that Mason continually tried to draw a gun from his pants while inside. When the weapon fell to the floor, Peterson reportedly told police that he got control of the weapon, and shot Mason in an ensuing struggle for the gun.

Peterson reportedly told police that Mason still had his hand on .45-caliber gun when was shot.

Because Peterson’s case does not expire until July, he did not have to continue his trial.