Westmoreland County prosecutors want a Hempfield woman accused of arranging a drug deal that led to a fatal overdose to remain in jail until her trial.
Hollie A. Schreiber, 39, was charged in January, along with two men, with drug delivery resulting in death counts in connection with the Jan. 14 overdose of Christopher Holleran, 28, of Greensburg. Holleran was found dead in an Culbertson Avenue apartment he shared with his girlfriend and infant child.
Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar in court this week said Schreiber’s $75,000 bond should be revoked because she purposely misled police about the identity of the person who ultimately sold the drugs used in Holleran’s overdose.
Police also charged Francesco Ziegler, 28, of Irwin, and Andrew C. Hohn, 33, of the Fort Allen area of Hempfield, with drug delivery resulting in death in the case. Ziegler gave Holleran information used to contact Hohn and Schreiber, who provided him the drugs, police said. Hohn and Schreiber were charged based on allegations they purchased the heroin given to Holleran.
Greensburg police Detective John Swank testified Tuesday that Schreiber initially identified a Monroeville man as her drug dealer. Based on that information, the man she identified also was charged with drug delivery resulting in death. Schreiber gave police the suspect’s name, address and pointed him out from a photo lineup, Swank said.
But as police searched for the suspect’s whereabouts, they said it became clear he was not involved and the charges were eventually dropped.
“His cell phone records did not corroborate his involvement,” Swank said.
Defense attorney Patricia Elliott-Rentler said Schreiber gave the false identification because she felt threatened by the actual drug dealer and feared for her safety.
Swank testified police have a new suspect in the case but said the investigation is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Elliott-Rentler said Schreiber’s bail should be reduced to allow her to await her trial from home.
Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani heard testimony Tuesday but, after a short conference with lawyers, recused himself from the case. The judge said he knew Schreiber and had previously presided over a wedding for her family.
Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio was reassigned Schreiber’s case and said she would rule on the bail issue after she reviewed the testimony and arguments from this week’s hearing.
