Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

WILKES-BARRE — In court Friday, City Ptlm. Joseph Homza recalled the harrowing moments leading up to him shooting Barry Edwards, who allegedly charged at his patrol vehicle with a gun in his hand last month.

“I thought I was going to die in my police car,” Homza said.

Homza was the first witness at Edwards’ preliminary hearing before District Judge Thomas Malloy. Numerous city officers were there to show support, as well as Chief Marcella Lendacky and Mayor Tony George.

Malloy forwarded Edwards’ charges of aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, prohibited possession of a firearm and related counts to county court.

Prosecutor Sam Sanguedolce commended Homza for reliving the events of that night.

“It’s probably not that easy for police officers to admit that they’re afraid in certain circumstances,” Sanguedolce said.

An armed Edwards, 31, charged at Homza’s vehicle April 26 following a pursuit, police say. Homza testified that at 11:35 that night, he heard approximately eight to 12 gunshots in the area of South Grant Street.

Witnesses had reported seeing one vehicle in pursuit of a light-colored Nissan sedan, and approximately 20 shots had been heard in the area, according to the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.

Edwards’ vehicle was then involved in a collision at South Grant and East Northampton streets. The hood of Edwards’ vehicle, according to Homza, was flipped up over its windshield.

Homza gave chase, and the pursuit ended when Edwards’ vehicle crashed into a parked car on New Grant Street.

Homza said he was in the process of unbuckling himself, putting his radio away, and putting his vehicle in park when Edwards emerged and charged his patrol vehicle.

“At that point, I’m alone. I don’t have any backup. I’m trapped in my vehicle,” Homza said.

The officer testified that he struck Edwards with his patrol vehicle’s door before shooting him once. Homza’s weapon then malfunctioned as Edwards fled on foot. A second suspect, who has not yet been identified, fled from Edwards’ vehicle in a different direction.

Edwards was picked up in Newark, N.J., while being treated for a single gunshot wound April 28. Detective Richard Capitano testified that Edwards suffered a gunshot wound to his hip area.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting were something Edwards’ attorney, Theron Solomon, took issue with.

Homza testified that when he shot at Edwards, he aimed at Edwards’ center mass in his back/hip area. Homza added that Edwards was knocked off balance from the blow from the vehicle’s door.

“How is he running at you when you shot him in the back?” Solomon asked.

Homza also testified he was placed on administrative leave pending a criminal investigation. Solomon asked about that, but Sanguedolce objected. Judge Malloy sustained the objection, putting an end to that line of questioning.

In his closing statement, Solomon argued his client posed no real threat to Homza, and no evidence was presented to show Edwards had a gun.

But Sanguedolce said Solomon’s claims that Edwards wasn’t a threat “borders on the absurd.”

On the issue of bail, Solomon asked for it to be lowered, citing Edwards’ residence and employment within the city. Solomon acknowledged Edwards was in possession of plane tickets when he was apprehended, but said they were purchased days before the incident.

Sanguedolce argued Edwards had a “very serious” prior case, and asked for Edwards’ bail to be increased from $450,000 to $2 million.

Court documents indicate felony drug charges against Edwards were withdrawn by prosecutors after a county judge in January determined narcotics were seized during an illegal search.

Malloy opted to keep Edwards’ bail at $450,000.

He is scheduled for formal arraignment at the Luzerne County Courthouse at 10 a.m. Aug. 3.

Reporter Joe Dolinsky contributed to this report.

Barry Edwards, 31, is escorted from District Judge Thomas Malloy’s office following a preliminary hearing Friday. He is accused of charging at a Wilkes-Barre officer with a gun in hand after a chase.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Edwards-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBarry Edwards, 31, is escorted from District Judge Thomas Malloy’s office following a preliminary hearing Friday. He is accused of charging at a Wilkes-Barre officer with a gun in hand after a chase. Travis Kellar | Times Leader

By Travis Kellar

[email protected]

Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews