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Jaboar A. Stanley, 28, is arraigned in the death of Emmanuel J. Felix in Hazleton last week.
HAZLETON – A man killed inside an East Mine Street home was shot during a “friendly” game of poker by a man he knew, Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said.
Jaboar A. Stanley, 28, was arraigned Wednesday night on charges of criminal homicide, receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail.
Police alleged Stanley killed Emmanuel J. Felix, 20, on Feb. 15 inside their residence at 120-122 E. Mine St.
“It was a friendly game of poker that turned deadly,” Musto Carroll said. “It is a shame that a life was lost over something that could have probably been worked out.”
After the deadly shooting, investigators alleged Stanley buried the gun in a sock in West Mahanoy Township in Schuylkill County.
Stanley allegedly admitted to being the gunman during an interview with investigators at the county prison. He was arrested Monday night on charges he illegally possessed five firearms inside the house.
An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Mary Pascucci revealed Felix died from a gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a homicide, Coroner John Corcoran said.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police responded to the double-block house for a shooting just after 1 a.m. Feb. 15. Felix was found lying on the first floor in a middle room in the 122 E. Mine St. side.
During the jailhouse interview on Tuesday, Stanley told investigators he was in possession of a Taurus .45-caliber handgun that was on a table being used to play poker. Stanley said he picked up the gun and fired a round when Felix picked up some of his poker chips, the complaint says.
Stanley said he initially hid the gun in an abandoned building several blocks away. He later retrieved it and buried it in a sock in West Mahanoy Township.
Investigators retrieved the gun on Tuesday. It was reported stolen in West Mahanoy Township in October 2004.
Stanley said he bought the handgun from another man two or three years ago, according to the complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on March 3 before District Judge Joseph Zola in Hazleton.