2 men to stand trial for 2017 fatal robbery in Youngwood

Trials for two men charged with the fatal stabbing and robbery of a Youngwood drug dealer nearly three years ago will be held this fall with a jury to hear evidence in one case and a judge to decide the outcome in another.

Christopher David, 42, of Youngwood told Westmoreland County Judge Christopher Feliciani he did not want jurors to determine if he should be found guilty for the murder of 50-year-old Matthew Genard. David, speaking via a remote connection from the county jail, did not offer a reason for the decision.

His nonjury trial will be conducted by Feliciani in September.

The judge said a jury will be seated in November for the case against Michael Covington, 23, of Youngwood, who also is charged with criminal homicide in connection with Genard’s death.

Genard was killed Nov. 9, 2017, when three men barged into his home as part of a robbery plot, according to police. Genard was stabbed up to 20 times in his neck and back. His killers took clothes, two bricks of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and about $1,100 in cash, police said. Prosecutors contend Genard’s clothes were later burned and the stolen money and drugs were split among the men and a woman accused of helping to orchestrate the fatal robbery.

Genard’s body was found the next day.

Jason Sullenberger, 42, of Youngwood, pleaded guilty in March to a reduced charge of third-degree murder, robbery and two counts of conspiracy. He was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Iannamorelli said Tuesday that David and Covington have not been offered similar deals. Both are facing mandatory sentences of life in prison without parole if they are convicted of first- or second-degree murder, he said.

“This is a first- or second-degree case given the circumstances,” Iannamorelli said.

Covington, prosecutors contend, confessed to his role in the murder and told police he was the man who stabbed Genard.

Linda Kay Quidetto, 42, of Sharon, is being held without bond in the county jail on charges of criminal homicide, robbery and conspiracy. A date for her trial is not scheduled.