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Trial ordered in dollar-store death

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Associated Press

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa.

A western Pennsylvania man has been ordered to stand trial on murder and other charges in a shooting in a western Pennsylvania parking lot and dollar store.

A Westmoreland County judge ruled Wednesday that prosecutors had enough evidence to try Raymond Rivera, 34, of Arnold in the October shooting that killed 37-year-old John Evans of New Kensington and wounded another man.

Police said the shooting began after an argument in the Central City Plaza parking lot, and several people then ran into the Family Dollar store where at least one shot was fired.

Defense attorneys have questioned the credibility of a key witness and suggested that the victim may have been armed and the case may be one of self-defense.

Arraignment for Rivera is scheduled for Feb. 15.