Bride Shoots, Kills Niece at Wedding Party: Police

A Pennsylvania bride accused of killing her niece after the wedding has been ordered to stand trial on homicide and aggravated assault charges.

Prosecutors allege that 30-year-old Christina George-Harvan, of Conway, used her new husband's handgun to shoot 21-year-old Katelyn "Kaytee" Francis on April 24 as they left a bar in New Brighton, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Charges against George-Harvan were sent to Beaver County court after her preliminary hearing Friday. She is being held without bail.

An attorney for the bride told reporters that the shooting was an accident and his client is "completely distraught."

Police said the newlyweds and Francis were arguing about who would be the designated driver when the bride picked up a gun from her husband's truck and shot Francis, of Fairmont, W.Va.

Defense attorney Stephen Colafella said his client simply tried to move the gun when it went off.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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