Father of convicted cop killer has trial on intimidation charge delayed until February

The witness intimidation trial of the father of the Harrison man convicted of the murder of New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw has been delayed until February to allow the defense to investigate claims of new evidence.

Just before a jury was to be selected to hear his case on Wednesday, Gregory Baucum Jr., 48, of Pittsburgh, asked for the delay. Baucum said he has learned about new evidence that will help his defense against charges that he attempted to scare a witness from testifying against his son, Rahmael Sal Holt, in last month’s capital murder trial.

“There is new information that has become available and I want it investigated,” Baucum told Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway.

Defense attorney Emily Smarto confirmed that she needs additional time to explore Baucum’s claims before she is ready for trial.

Smarto declined to disclose the nature of the new evidence.

Also on Wednesday, Hathaway ruled against the prosecution’s request to introduce evidence at Baucum’s upcoming trial that he was charged and later acquitted last year of witness intimidation and assault charges. That was in connection with allegations raised by a former girlfriend who claimed he strangled her in retaliation for talking to police about her son’s whereabouts during a four-day manhunt after the murder.

Baucum’s son, Holt, was convicted last month of first-degree murder for shooting Shaw following an attempted traffic stop on Nov. 17, 2017 in New Kensington.

Jurors in that case sentenced Holt to death.

Westmoreland prosecutors contend that earlier this year Baucum attempted to intimidate a potential witness against Holt by posting on his social media pictures of her statements to police along with emojis depicting a rat and cheese.

Prosecutors said Baucum received copies of the statements as part of his court-ordered discovery in his trial on previous charges last year.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Iannamorelli argued last year’s prosecution of Baucum negates a potential defense in the new case.

Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka testified Wednesday that Baucum, when he was arrested, claimed he didn’t know he was prohibited from using the police records to threaten a witness.

“His statement is ludicrous because he was previously charged with intimidation,” Iannamorelli said.

The judge agreed with Smarto’s argument that because Baucum was found not guilty, prosecutors should not be allowed to tell a new jury that he was charged and acquitted.