A western Pennsylvania woman charged with fatally shooting her father as he slept will stand trial after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing on first-degree murder and other charges.
Forty-eight-year-old Christy Zelanko, 48, of Six Mile Run, waived the hearing Wednesday. Her attorney declined comment.
Bedford County District Attorney William Higgins has said Zelanko has claimed past abuse by 68-year-old James Zelanko, who was shot five times as he slept early June 17.
Higgins says those claims don't justify the killing, but could allow Zelanko to be tried for a lesser degree of murder. First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence.
Police have said Zelanko was speaking on the phone to her girlfriend and to her mother about the abuse allegations minutes before she walked next door and shot her father.
