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Homicide hearing postponed

Three suspects denied bail in 2013 killing of Hackney

The preliminary hearing for three people charged in the 2013 killing of Steven Hackney has been moved to September.

Kashif Ellis, 31; Taylor Griffith, 27; and Qasim L. Sharif Green, 23; were brought to Central Court on Fourth Street on Wednesday for their scheduled preliminary hearing.

Before that could happen, attorneys had to be appointed to represent Ellis and Green, while Griffith has retained attorney Mark Zearfaus to defend her. Griffith was arrested by Altoona police on July 13, the fourth anniversary of the killing. Ellis and Green were already in state prison on previous cases,

and both were arraigned within days of Griffith’s arrest. Bail was denied for all three, who are facing conspiracy, criminal homicide, robbery and related charges.

Altoona police allege Ellis shot and killed 37-year-old Hackney during

a robbery at Hackney’s home on the 100 block of Willow Avenue about 1 a.m. on July 13, 2013. Hackney was found dead in a pool of blood in his bedroom. Green’s cellphone was found in the backyard after police responded to a 911 report of a possible home invasion.

Police contend Griffith’s DNA and fingerprints were found on items in the bedroom and that Ellis is linked to the killing by a cellmate in state prison who told police last year Ellis confessed to him that he had shot Hackney. The investigation by Altoona police also turned up several other witnesses, along with cellphone data and a prison phone call by Ellis that police said painted a picture of a robbery that was planned and carried out by Ellis, Griffith and Green.

Ellis’ attorney, Robert Donaldson, said Wednesday they would be scrutinizing the charges to prepare for the upcoming preliminary hearing in September.

“We’re just anxious to explore the details of the criminal complaint to date,” Donaldson said after he appeared in court with Ellis and Green to discuss possible dates for that hearing with prosecutors and Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Auker.

“We want to get it scheduled as soon as possible given the severity of the charges,” Donaldson said.

Griffith did not appear in the courtroom as her attorney was scheduled for court in another county. Zearfaus did join the conference, which took place in the courtroom, by phone, and four possible dates were selected pending input from the Blair County Court administrator because the hearing is also being moved to the Blair County Courthouse.

The preliminary hearing dates have been narrowed down to either Sept. 5 or Sept. 26, 27 or 28.

Ellis is currently serving time in state prison for a 2015 drug conviction in Blair County, as is Green. Green’s attorney, Richard M. Corcoran, of Ebensburg, said he had no comment on the case at this point after the proceedings.

Zearfaus, who has represented Griffith in her two previous criminal cases in Blair County, also declined comment.

Wednesday’s meeting in the courtroom was also attended by members of Ellis’ and Green’s respective families. As the judge ended the conference and Ellis and Green were led out of the courtroom, a man who only identified himself as Green’s stepfather stood and asked Auker if he could also go to jail.

“I’m here to turn myself in,” the man said. “I have three years on my probation, and I would rather do it in jail with my son.”

“That’s not in the realm of possibility,” Auker told the man.

Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458.

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