One charged in Berwick stabbing death

BERWICK — One man is in custody following a homicide in the borough Friday night, Berwick Police Chief Kenneth J. Strish said in a statement released Saturday.

Isaiah Scott Newton, 26, of 1542 Brittain St., Berwick, faces charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault and tampering with and/or fabricating physical evidence in connection with the fatal stabbing of Frederick James McConnell outside that address following an altercation.

The manner and cause of McConnell’s death were ruled as homicide by Columbia County Coroner Jeremy Reese.

Berwick police were assisted by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, Columbia County Coroner’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Briar Creek Township Police Department.

The cause of the altercation and relationship between the deceased and the suspect were not stated.

Incident described

The following comes from a police affidavit issued in the case:

Officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Brittain Street around 11:30 p.m. Friday for a report of shots fired in the area and a possible altercation behind a residence. Police also were advised that an unknown type vehicle had fled the scene at a high rate of speed, and that a stabbing victim had arrived at Berwick Hospital Center.

Upon arrival, police could hear banging and yelling coming from inside the residence at 1542 Brittain St. An officer knocked on the door, identified himself, and when the door opened he commanded several occupants to come outside. The occupants said they had heard an altercation but had not been involved. At the same time, another officer discovered blood in an alley outside the property.

The occupants were advised to remain outside with one officer while another checked the residence to ensure no injured people were inside. The officer made contact with Isaiah Newton, who was removed from the residence.

Further investigation led to a substantial amount of blood being found in areas around the property.

Officers initially found the occupants uncooperative, stating they had heard an altercation but did not see anything or know who was involved.

When an officer asked if everyone was accounted for, a woman named Patricia Newton said her son “James” was not there, but was last there “right before all this happened.”

Another individual, Lashonna Newton, “initially denied anything occurring” but continued to ask about the status of “James,” police said. She told investigators “James” had been getting worked up and she tried to calm him down.

Another individual, Justin Newton, spoke of an argument and altercation that took place behind the residence, but provided no details other than that he was trying to deescalate the situation, police said.

Another individual, Taylor Urso, said “James” had left the residence for a brief time to take someone home. When he returned, Urso said she heard an altercation outside.

Victim identified

The stabbing victim at Berwick Hospital Center was identified as Frederick James McConnell, who was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officers spoke there with Jamal Butler, who said he drove McConnell to the hospital in his own vehicle.

Following in-depth interviews with several people, including Isaiah Scott Newton, he “admitted to being involved in a physical and verbal altercation” with McConnell at the rear of 1542 Brittain St. and stabbing McConnell with a kitchen knife.

Police said Newton admitted he then placed the knife into water in the kitchen sink, where officers found it while executing a search warrant.

Newton told police that after the altercation McConnell got into the driver’s seat of his car, with Jamal Butler in the front passenger seat. Butler confirmed that in his interview, adding that after travelling a short distance McConnell slumped over and was making gurgling noises. Butler helped McConnell out of the car and into the passenger seat, then rapidly drove him to the hospital.

Medical staff were unsuccessful in their attempts to stabilize McConnell, police said. He was pronounced dead by Coroner Reese.

Newton was in police custody Saturday afternoon pending arraignment by District Judge Richard Knecht in Berwick.