Trial is getting underway in western Pennsylvania in the case of a former Philadelphia resident charged in the shooting death of a standout high school athlete.
Twenty-two-year-old Hasani Simpkins of Uniontown is charged in Fayette County with criminal homicide, receiving stolen property, and carrying an unlicensed firearm.
Authorities allege that he shot and killed 17-year-old Connellsville Area High School junior Darrell Ross during a house party in November 2013.
Prosecutors say Simpkins initially said Ross died playing Russian Roulette, but allege that five days later he admitted having shot the victim in the back of the head.
The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard reported that defense attorney Wendy Williams has argued that the shooting was an accident.
