Man charged in suspected Rostraver road rage killing rejects plea deal
A Belle Vernon man awaiting trial for the alleged road rage killing of a motorist two years ago in Rostraver has rejected a plea deal to a lesser charge.
During a pretrial hearing Tuesday, prosecutors confirmed they proposed a deal that called for Anthony Hairston, 29, to serve 25 to 50 years in prison. The deal called for him to plead guilty to charges of third-degree murder and a weapons offense in connection to the New Year’s Day fatal shooting of 59-year-old Holly B. Vadella of Rostraver.
“I have reviewed the offer with my client and he is rejecting it,” said defense attorney Brian Aston.
Prosecutors could ask a jury to consider a verdict of first-degree murder against Hairston, an offense that carries a mandatory life prison sentence.
Police said Hairston fired at least two shots from an open SUV window as he attempted to pass Vadella’s vehicle on Rostraver Road shortly after midnight Jan. 1, 2022. According to investigators, Hairston became upset after being cut off by Vadella as he attempted to pass her vehicle. Vadella’s body was discovered at 1:30 a.m., about an hour after surveillance cameras from nearby homes recorded video of Hairston’s SUV passing her vehicle.
An autopsy report determined Vadella sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest and a 9 mm bullet was recovered.
Prosecutors said DNA from Hairston and two others were detected on the suspected murder weapon.
Hairston was arrested during a traffic stop Jan. 2. Police claim the suspected murder weapon was recovered from a bag in the possession of his girlfriend, Shaquala L. Poole, whom police detained later that day. According to court records, police found a Glock 9 mm pistol, cocaine, a digital scale, firearm components and ammunition in a bag she was carrying.
Poole, 32, was charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with evidence and drug possession. She testified against Hairston at a preliminary hearing and claimed she and two others were in the vehicle as they left a New Year’s Eve party and traveled to a local bar to continue celebrating.
The case against Poole is pending.
Hairston’s trial is set to begin Nov. 4.
Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.
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