Pennsylvania man convicted of first-degree homicide for utilizing do-it-yourself air gun to kill neighbor

An japanese Pennsylvania man accused of getting used a do-it-yourself high-pressure air gun to kill a neighbor with whom he had had an affair has been convicted of first-degree homicide.

Jurors in Lehigh County deliberated for lower than three hours final week earlier than convicting 41-year-old Josef Raszler within the September 2016 homicide of 46-year-old Stephanie Roof in Decrease Macungie Township. He faces a compulsory time period of life in jail with chance of parole when he’s sentenced Might 11.

Protection legal professional Phil Lauer mentioned he revered the jury’s verdict however vowed an attraction. The defendant’s father, Paul Raszler, mentioned “We’re simply heartbroken and really disillusioned.”

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Raszler was arrested in April 2017 after investigators concluded that he had constructed a strong air gun out of pipes and high-pressure canisters and used it to shoot the mom of 4 within the chest in her driveway with a big projectile he customary from lead.

No weapon was discovered, however investigators mentioned supplies in his basement workshop could possibly be used to make the weapon, and a detective did that utilizing such supplies and on-line directions. Investigators mentioned projectiles just like the one which killed the sufferer have been discovered on the grounds of a Schuylkill County cabin belonging to the defendant’s household.

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Raszler took the stand in his personal protection for about 5 hours, providing different mechanical tasks as a proof for the lead, pipes and different materials prosecutors mentioned was used to make the weapon, The (Allentown) Morning Name reported.

He acknowledged having been on the cabin the weekend earlier than the taking pictures however had no rationalization for the projectiles though he denied having engaged in goal apply. Protection attorneys, who pointed to a different individual as a potential suspect, instructed that another person may have planted the fabric.

Raszler acknowledged having despatched scores of texts to Roof after they broke up round March 2015. In October 2015, Roof instructed him to cease contacting her or she would go to police, and prosecutors mentioned he despatched one other 17 texts however then didn’t contact her within the 11 months earlier than the killing. The protection mentioned that confirmed he had moved on, however prosecutors mentioned he was quietly simmering and angered anew when Roof’s new boyfriend moved in along with her in April 2016.

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