Homicide trial begins

By MARK MARONEY mmaroney@sungazette.com
The homicide trial for a South Williamsport man accused of conspiring to kill another man in an alley off of High Street in March 2007 hinges on whether he knew the intention of the killer, who is to be sentenced in July.

Sean Durrant is expected to testify against Javier S. Cruz-Echevarria, 21, of 1450 Kaiser Ave., Cruz-Echevarria’s attorney Ron Travis said during opening statements Tuesday in County Court.

Cruz-Echevarria drove Durrant to the alley where Eric Sawyer, 38, of Philadelphia was shot to death March 31, 2007, but he did not know Durrant was planning the slaying, Travis said.

After apprehension, Durrant told police that Cruz-Echevarria was not involved in the crime, but then Durrant changed his story after pleading guilty to lesser charges of third-degree murder and conspiracy and agreeing to cooperate with authorities, Travis said.

Durrant’s sentencing is scheduled for July 8. He may receive a state prison sentence of 25 to 60 years, but if he were charged with first-degree murder he could have been sentenced to 40 to 80 years, Travis said.

Travis also suggested a motive in the case. He claimed Durrant wanted revenge on Sawyer who he believed “snitched,” or was a “rat,” on a friend.

Travis described Durrant as an “old-head, street thug” who could not tolerate “rats” or “snitches.” He claimed Durrant also put Cruz-Echevarria into that category.

But District Attorney Eric R. Linhardt said Cruz-Echevarria not only knowingly drove Durrant to the alley to shoot and kill Sawyer after a bad heroin deal, but he also plotted with Durrant ahead of time.

Linhardt said cell phone evidence will show Cruz-Echevarria, Durrant and another man spoke about killing Sawyer.

Linhardt said police evidence will show Cruz-Echevarria willingly drove Durrant to the “ambush site,” where Durrant pumped two shots into Sawyer’s head using a sawed-off shotgun before both left in Cruz-Echevarria’s sport-utility vehicle.

“We have Sawyer’s blood on Durrant — and gunshot residue on Cruz,” Linhardt said.

Officer Thomas Bortz testified how he and his partner, Jimmie Rodgers, followed the vehicle that exited the alley where the shots originated and pursued it until it was stopped at Waltz Place and Second Avenue. There, Durant bolted from the passenger-side door, running and dropping the shotgun and gloves. Bortz said Cruz-Echevarria stayed in the vehicle and was taken into custody.

Cruz-Echevarria is charged by city police with one count each of criminal homicide and conspiracy.

Testimony in the trial before Judge Nancy L. Butts resumes this morning.