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NANTICOKE — A Plymouth man is headed to trial in the September shooting death of another man outside a bar, with his defense team Friday suggesting self-defense as a motive during a hearing.
Kyon Dane McDonald, 34, appeared before District Judge Donald L. Whittaker, who ruled there was enough evidence to send McDonald to trial for the death of Tierees Owens — without even waiting to hear closing arguments from prosecutors.
Authorities accuse McDonald of gunning down Owens outside Robbie Nick’s Sports Bar on East Main Street in Plymouth on Sept. 27.
At Friday’s hearing, Trooper Edward Urban testified that Owens, reportedly a member of the Crips street gang, was “obnoxious” that night, and acknowledged Owens had made numerous threats on McDonald’s life.
Defense attorney Theron Solomon asked Urban if Owens had said to McDonald, “Word on Crip, I’m gonna take your life tonight.” Urban reported that witness testimony does indicate the threat was made.
On direct examination by Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Michelle Hardik, Urban described video from the bar that showed McDonald being surreptitiously handed a handgun by the bouncer before leaving. The tapes then allegedly show that he was “milling around” outside the bar.
After causing other “trouble” at the bar that night, Urban said Owens was escorted out of the area by bar owner Robert Nicoletti. However, Owens got away from Nicoletti, and circled back to the bar, heading toward the group where McDonald was.
What happened next was described similarly by both Urban and Trooper Lisa Brogan.
While Owens was heading for the group, McDonald pulled the gun and fired a shot into the center of Owens’ chest, police said. Brogan said the first shot couldn’t have been fired from more than 3 feet away.
Then, with McDonald allegedly standing over Owens, he emptied the clip, firing six more shots into Owens’ chest.
“Like an execution style shooting?” Solomon asked Brogan.
“Yeah, pretty much,” she answered.
McDonald then allegedly fled the scene, disposing of the gun. He was arrested the next day after being found in a Wilkes-Barre Township home where he had a standoff with police.
Despite the alleged “execution-style” killing, Solomon said prosecutors didn’t provide a “single bit of evidence about premeditation,” saying McDonald was acting in self-defense.
“A man runs at him, he pulls a gun, he fires it and here we are,” he said.
Judge Whittaker, though, didn’t even wait to hear closing arguments from prosecutors, deciding they had already established enough of a case to send the charge to county court.
McDonald was sent back to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, where he is being held pending further proceedings.