South Connellsville woman held for court on solicitation to commit homicide charge
A South Connellsville woman will go to trial on a solicitation to commit homicide charge filed because she allegedly asked an acquaintance if he had a gun so she could kill a witness.
Susan Carr-Wilson, 45, has been lodged in Fayette County Prison on the charge since Jan. 27 on a $75,000 bond. Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr. held her charge for court after a preliminary hearing at the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday afternoon.
Jacob Keefer testified Carr-Wilson came to his house so he could work on her car Jan. 26. He said she asked if he had a gun, or if he knew where she could buy one so she could kill Billie Jo “BJ” Wilson for testifying against her in a retail theft case.
“I said ‘Why are you so excited about a stupid retail theft?'” he said.
He said he did not have a gun because of a prior felony conviction and did not know where she could buy one. Keefer said he had only known her for about one year, and never told her he had a gun or access to one.
He testified he thought it was possible she would get a gun and attack Wilson, so he called the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office to report the conversation.
Carr-Wilson’s attorney, Randall H. McKinney of McKinney Law in Pittsburgh, said during closing arguments there was insufficient evidence to hold the charge. He said it is not likely someone would conspire with an acquaintance to commit homicide during a brief conversation.
He argued anyone who becomes upset with another person could face similar charges.
“I respect the magistrate’s decision, however I think it’s a sad day in the commonwealth when an individual whose testimony I found to be incredible can make an uncorroborated statement for such a serious crime with absolutely nothing to support it, and my client is headed to trial on a solicitation to commit homicide charge,” he said after the hearing.
“I am optimistic that at trial, Miss Carr-Wilson will be found not guilty,” he added.