Attorney seeks more time to argue for release of Arnold man accused in 2016 killing

The lawyer for an Arnold man accused of killing a 16-year-old girl in the city in 2016 said she needs more time to prepare for a hearing to argue for the pretrial release of her client who claims he has been in jail too long.

Cashaan Williams, 21, appeared Wednesday before Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears to ask for bond. The hearing was postponed after defense attorney Jaime M. Hickton said she needed to review transcripts of a bond hearing in 2017 and at least two juvenile court proceedings before she can argue for Williams’ release.

The judge agreed to delay proceedings for at least the next month.

Williams has been in custody since May 2017 when two $50,000 bonds were revoked by another judge.

In court documents filed last week, Hickton said Williams maintains his innocence.

Williams is awaiting trial on a charge of third-degree murder and a weapons offense. He 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, according to court records.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Pacek said Wednesday there is no basis for Williams to be released before his trial, which is now tentatively scheduled to begin in October.

Hickton, who was hired this summer to defend Williams, said she’s not sure why the case has lingered for more than three years.

“How could it be that he consented to postpone his trial for over three years … He said he was not OK with all these continuances,” Hickton said.