Teen Accused of Leechburg Shooting Death Denied Bond Reduction
Pennsylvania State Police and other local police units surrounded Route 422 February 10 after police were asked to be on the lookout for Johnson. (submitted file photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A Kittanning Township juvenile accused of shooting and killing a Leechburg man last month will not have his bond reduced, and will remain in a Westmoreland County juvenile detention center.
That decision was made by Armstrong Court of Common Pleas Judge James Panchik yesterday at the conclusion of a half-hour bail reduction hearing for 17-year-old Todd Johnson – who is accused in the February 10 death of 18-year-old Derrike Roppolo of Leechburg.
Todd, who was enrolled as a junior in the Lenape Tech welding program and took Armstrong School District cyber classes, dressed in a blue shirt and tie with black pants as he was escorted into court by two Armstrong County sheriff deputies.
Todd is currently incarcerated in Westmoreland County Regional Youth Services Center in Greensburg on $500,000 bond, but Attorney Eric D. Levin, Esq. of the Butler-based law firm Rishor Simone filed for a reduction to $100,000.
Johnson’s mother, Jennifer, testified that income from their family-owned business, Custom Design Monuments in West Kittanning, would not be enough to pay a percentage for a bail bondsman to release her son, but if bail was reduced to $100,000 as requested.
“Just because they have a business and a house that is unencumbered does not mean they just have $50,000 lying around,” Levin said.
She added that she would have felt safe and that if her son was released into their custody, Todd would have also worked and kept getting paid at the family business without access to any vehicles or money.
Todd also testified he does not have the money to post bail and would rely on his mother and father. He also contested that his ongoing schooling is not on-track with his regular studies.
“He (would have done) whatever the court require(d) of him in terms of any conditions set,” Levin said. “I think that speaks volumes.”
Levin also argued to Judge Panchik that Todd lives within a stable home environment.
However, District Attorney Scott Andreassi opposed a bail reduction and said the defendant would indeed be a flight risk.
Andreassi said the Commonwealth’s investigation determined that Todd has a drug and alcohol issue, has a valid driver’s license and visited a Basin Drive apartment February 10 with another juvenile with the intent to rob the occupants.
According to the criminal complaint, Todd fired one round into Roppolo’s chest as well as pointing a weapon at another person. Roppolo died of the gunshot wound at Allegheny Valley Hospital.
“The bond is indicative of the seriousness of these charges,” Andreassi said. “The Commonwealth believes Todd Johnson is exactly where he needs to be, and should remain (at the Regional Youth Services Center).
“We believe he is a danger to society given the allegations,” Andreassi later added.
Johnson is charged with four first-degree felonies (criminal homicide, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit robbery and robbery) and two first-degree misdemeanors (possession of a firearm by a minor and for making terroristic threats), though the current evidence might reduce some of the severity of those charges, Andreassi said.
However, conviction could still lead to life in jail without parole.
Judge Panchik said he did consider Todd’s age, employment and financial status, as well as that of his family and the fact that he has been out-of-state twice and owns a driver’s license.
Family members of the victim were present in the courtroom and cried at the conclusion of the hearing, but declined further comment.
Formal arraignment is scheduled in three weeks before Senior Judge Joseph A. Nickleach.
Since Armstrong County does not have its own juvenile detention center, they are paying about $200 a day for Johnson’s stay in Westmoreland County
Local News, Regional News | jweaver March 26, 2015
By jorn jensen, March 26, 2015 @ 2:09 PM
$200/day, $1400/week, $5600+/month - what did we Armstrong County taxpayers do wrong to have to foot this bill? Are we simply ‘guilty’ because we don’t happen to have a juvenile detention center?