A preliminary hearing in Pittsburgh has led to a judge’s decision to send the case involving the shooting death of Rayon Williams to trial, with the defense claiming this could be a case of self-defense. The prosecution disagrees.Williams was shot and killed last month at Bonez Barber Shop on the South Side, leaving her family without their loved one. Myairah Carter is now charged with first-degree criminal homicide.”I believe this case, when the facts are all aired out in a courtroom, will show that this was a lawful, justifiable use of force in defense of herself,” said Ken Haber, Carter’s attorney.The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office released a video to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that was shown in the courtroom. The video shows Carter sitting in a chair and Williams standing nearby. For about 30 seconds, Williams is seen walking toward Carter.Click the video player above to watch the video”Instead of leaving, she then lunges at my client in an aggressive manner at a time when it was looking like she may have a firearm and may shoot her, if not seriously harm her,” Haber said.Carter then fires the gun from under the barber’s cape. The video stops before the shooting occurs.”This is, without a question, self-defense. If somebody is in fear of being killed or shot, or seriously injured in that moment, then you have Pennsylvania law. You have the right to use deadly force. Miss Carter didn’t want to use deadly force,” Haber said.The prosecution disagrees with the self-defense claim. The family of Williams did not want to talk Friday, but have previously expressed their pain over losing a loved one to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
PITTSBURGH —
A preliminary hearing in Pittsburgh has led to a judge’s decision to send the case involving the shooting death of Rayon Williams to trial, with the defense claiming this could be a case of self-defense. The prosecution disagrees.
Williams was shot and killed last month at Bonez Barber Shop on the South Side, leaving her family without their loved one. Myairah Carter is now charged with first-degree criminal homicide.
“I believe this case, when the facts are all aired out in a courtroom, will show that this was a lawful, justifiable use of force in defense of herself,” said Ken Haber, Carter’s attorney.
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office released a video to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that was shown in the courtroom. The video shows Carter sitting in a chair and Williams standing nearby. For about 30 seconds, Williams is seen walking toward Carter.
Click the video player above to watch the video
“Instead of leaving, she then lunges at my client in an aggressive manner at a time when it was looking like she may have a firearm and may shoot her, if not seriously harm her,” Haber said.
Carter then fires the gun from under the barber’s cape. The video stops before the shooting occurs.
“This is, without a question, self-defense. If somebody is in fear of being killed or shot, or seriously injured in that moment, then you have Pennsylvania law. You have the right to use deadly force. Miss Carter didn’t want to use deadly force,” Haber said.
The prosecution disagrees with the self-defense claim. The family of Williams did not want to talk Friday, but have previously expressed their pain over losing a loved one to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.