Cousin accused of aiding convicted cop killer Rahmael Holt ordered to stand trial

Harrington’s defense attorney, Adam Gorzelsky, argued for her bond to be lowered because she had been attending all hearings and is not a danger to the community. He said Harrington missing one hearing was a “hiccup” caused by changing attorneys.

Harrington’s family is not able to come up with the money to get her out of jail, he said.

Pallone said he was not inclined to lower Harrington’s bond, citing the nature of the charges against her and having family out-of-state and multiple previous addresses.

In arguing against a bond reduction, Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar said the new charges against Harrington substantially increase her alleged level of involvement in the attempt to protect the killer of a police officer.

Harrington was outside the courtroom every day of Holt’s trial but never went inside. Every witness who testified had to walk past her, Lazar said.

“It certainly was an interesting decision she made to do that,” Lazar said.

Witnesses in Holt’s trial testified that after shooting Shaw during an attempted traffic stop on Leishman Avenue, Holt ran to a house where he was staying on Victoria Avenue. They testified that he hid a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun in the basement.

Witnesses testified that Harrington came to the house with other people the next day, went to the basement and left without them. She was gone for 20 to 25 minutes before coming back and picking up the people she had left behind, they said.

Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka, the only witness to testify during Harrington’s preliminary hearing, said authorities found evidence of calls between Holt and Harrington the night Shaw was killed.

Dupilka testified there also is evidence of calls and texts between Harrington and an unknown person about trying to find a buyer for the “strap,” a slang term for a handgun or pistol.

Dupilka said Lakita Caine, who lived at the Victoria Avenue house, told authorities Harrington came to the house and went into the basement. Harrington told Caine she was going to the basement because “it” was there, which she took to mean the gun used to shoot Shaw, and later told her that it had been take care of, according to Dupilka.

Dupilka said others who lived at the house said it was not common for Harrington to be there, alone or with a group.

Gorzelsky noted that prosecutors did not call Caine to testify during Holt’s trial, which he contended was because they knew she was not reliable. Lazar called that speculation.

Caine pleaded guilty in May 2018 to hindering Holt’s apprehension. Her prison sentence was upheld in August.

When questioned by Gorzelsky, Dupilka said no one said they saw Harrington with a gun.

“She’s maintained from the very beginning, never would she ever step foot in a basement or handle a gun in any way. She’s terrified of both of those,” Gorzelsky said.

Gorzelsky said Harrington was aware of the situation her cousin was in but has denied any involvement in Holt’s escape or removing the gun.

“She is champing at the bit to have the opportunity to tell her side of the story,” he said.