Shooting suspect’s bond is reduced

The suspect’s bond was reduced with conditions.

STAFF REPORT

SHARON, Pa. — A man charged in a shooting has had his bail reduced from $100,000 to $10,000 and was expected to be released from the Mercer County Jail on Thursday.

Deven James, 27, who’s been in jail on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault since the shooting a week ago of a 21-year-old woman, waived his right to testimony in a preliminary hearing Thursday.

His case was bound to county common pleas court with added charges: possession of a firearm with altered or obliterated numbers, simple assault and reckless endangering.

His bond was reduced with conditions — that he not have any criminal contact with the victim, although he is allowed normal contact with her; that he not set foot on any public housing property in Mercer County; and that he not possess firearms.

Neither the district attorney’s office nor the public defender would elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

“The commonwealth agreed [to the lower bail] based on the facts and circumstances of the case,” was all assistant district attorney David Ristvey would say.

The shooting happened early last Friday. An off-duty Sharon officer on his way to work followed a speeding car at 6:23 a.m. to the Sharon Regional emergency room. Inside the car were several people, including the victim. She had been shot in the abdomen, Sharon police said. She was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center and is no longer hospitalized.

Police said James was driving the car, and based on what others in the car said, they charged him in the shooting, said Capt. Travis Martwinski.

The shooting took place at 391 Quimby St., Martwinski said. Police executed a search warrant there and found several guns, he said.