July trial set for alleged shooter

June 17, 2012

CHRISTOPHER L. THORNHILL

BROOKVILLE — The trial of a Pittsburgh man who allegedly shot two Punxsutawney men last September has been set for the middle of July in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court.

Jury selection for the trial of Christopher L. Thornhill, 24, is scheduled for Monday, July 9, with the trial scheduled to begin Thursday, July 19, at the Jefferson County courthouse, said Amanda Marley, Jefferson County President Judge John Foradora's law clerk.

Thornhill faces two counts each of attempted criminal homicide; aggravated assault; recklessly endangering another person; and weapons violations stemming from the Sept. 22, 2011, shooting incident near a residence along Cranberry Alley in Punxsutawney.

Sept. 29, U.S. Marshals and members of the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Task Force took Thornhill into custody at a residence in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, a week after he allegedly shot Richard White, 21, and Shane Glatt, 18, both of Punxsy, along Cranberry Alley.

Punxsutawney Borough Police Officer Patrick Renwick, was the affiant who filed the criminal complaint against Thornhill.

Officer Renwick testified at Thornhill’s preliminary hearing, which was held Nov. 23, 2011, at District Judge Douglas Chambers' office.

Chambers found cause to send the case to trial.

Thornhill is represented by Assistant Public Defender Fred Hummel.