New Kensington woman sentenced to 3-7 years for helping to hide Officer Brian Shaw's killer

A New Kensington woman was sentenced Thursday to serve at least three years in prison for helping her cousin escape capture in the hours after a city police officer was gunned down nearly three years ago.

Lisa Harrington was convicted of five felony offenses and one misdemeanor for helping Rahmael Holt flee New Kensington following the fatal shooting of police officer Brian Shaw on Nov. 17, 2017. Prosecutors said Harrington drove Holt to Pittsburgh shortly after the murder and, a day later, discarded the suspected murder weapon left by her cousin in the basement of a home in New Kensington.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Rita Hathaway sentenced Harrington to three to seven years in prison.

“This has been a heartbreaking case all around,” Hathaway said. “As a mother and grandmother, my heart breaks for your children.”

Harrington initially was jailed following her conviction. She was temporarily released in April when the judge ruled the health of Harrington’s unborn child was jeopardized by her continued incarceration amid the raging coronavirus pandemic. Harrington gave birth to a son, her fourth child, in June.

In court Thursday, Harrington apologized to the Shaw family and pleaded with the judge in an effort to avoid a prison sentence.

“Taking me away from my kids is the worst thing that can be done to me,” Harrington said.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar lobbied for a lengthy prison sentence. He said Harrington’s actions could potentially have hindered the prosecution of Holt and potentially endangered police officers should the still-missing murder weapon fall into the hands of the wrong person.

“No amount of time will suffice in this case,” Lazar said. “It is all about retribution. That’s what is called for here.”

Holt, 31, of Harrison was convicted last year of first-degree murder and sentenced to death by lethal injection. Prosecutors said Shaw was shot as he pursued Holt on foot following a traffic stop on Leishman Avenue.

Harrison is the fifth person convicted of helping Holt avoid capture following the murder:

• Holt’s mother, Sherry Holt, 49, of Pittsburgh, was convicted earlier this year in Allegheny County of hindering her son’s apprehension and was sentenced in June to serve one year on probation.

• Marcel R. Mason, 30, of Pittsburgh was found guilty last year in Allegheny County of a similar charge and is serving a 15- to 30-month prison sentence.

• Lakita Caine, 42, of New Kensington pleaded guilty in 2018 to hindering police and was sentenced by Hathaway to serve three to seven years in prison.

• Caine’s daughter, 21-year-old Taylor Mitchell, pleaded guilty to the same offense, also in 2018, and was sentenced by Hathaway to serve 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail.