This article was published on GoErie.com by Tim Hahn on September 12, 2018
An Erie man accused of shooting another man numerous times outside a Buffalo Road residence in early March was charged in the case after investigators said a woman who was with the victim identified the man as the shooter.
But the woman testified during the preliminary hearing for 25-year-old Jamie J. Evans on Wednesday afternoon that she was not certain Evans was the one who fired the shots, despite previously identifying him to police in two interviews.
Evans’ lawyer, Eric Hackwelder, argued after 21-year-old Brittany Farrell’s testimony that all charges against Evans, including felony attempted homicide and aggravated assault, should be dropped because of her statements in court. Erie County Assistant District Attorney Paul Sellers argued that the charges should stand, based on Farrell’s earlier statements and her identification of Evans from a photo lineup that she circled and signed.
Erie 5th Ward District Judge Paul Bizzarro agreed with the prosecution, holding Evans for trial on all charges. Evans remains in prison on $250,000 bond in the case.
Erie police accuse Evans of shooting 35-year-old Leonard E. Aiken III numerous times on March 3 after Aiken left his residence in the 1300 block of Buffalo Road and was walking toward a vehicle. Erie police Detective Sean Bogart testified that Aiken was shot three times in the left forearm, once in the left side, once in the abdomen and once in the right shoulder.
Bogart said surveillance video taken from Aiken’s residence showed Aiken getting shot as he returned to his vehicle and dove under it. Investigators believe the gunfire came from an area around the property where there was a break in the fence, and where police found shell casings and a magazine containing 17 rounds of ammunition, Bogart said.
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