Arnold man in jail for 3 years while awaiting trial seeks release on bond

An Arnold man who has been in jail for more than three years as he awaits his murder trial will appear before a Westmoreland County judge next week to ask for his freedom.

Cashaan Williams, 21, has been behind bars since May 2017 after his two $50,000 bonds were revoked when a video surfaced on social media that prosecutors said depicted him drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana.

Williams was 17 when he was arrested and charged with the November 2016 killing in Arnold of Akira Marie Waters, 16, of Avonmore. According to court records, police claim Williams shot Waters with a semiautomatic handgun as he walked behind her down a flight of steps.

Waters’ boyfriend told police Williams routinely played with the weapon.

Williams is charged with third-degree murder and a weapons offense.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears will conduct a hearing July 22 on Williams’ request to reinstate his bond pending the trial that is tentatively scheduled to begin in October.

In court documents filed this week, Williams’ new attorney, Jaime M. Hickton, claimed the video that was the basis for the original bond revocation actually predated his arrest.

Williams’ long wait for trial because of a case backlog in the county court system as well as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the potential risk to jail inmates are grounds for his release, Hickton wrote.

The defense contends Williams maintains his innocence and that he is not a risk to the public.

“Defendant has spent a significant portion of his young life in pre-trial incarceration and understands the consequences should defendant violate any condition of bail should this honorable court grant his release,” Hickton wrote.