CLEARFIELD – A Kentucky man had a hearing on Wednesday related to accusations that he shot an occupied home.
Travis Ancheta, 19 of Ft. Knox, KY, faces charges of discharge a firearm into an occupied structure, three counts of recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief.
A 19-year-old woman testified that on the evening of March 23, she and her cousin went to a residence in Morrisdale. She said a number of people were there. She testified that shortly after she arrived, Ancheta and another individual arrived. she said Ancheta and others were drinking, and that Ancheta wanted to shoot a gun. She stated that she warned Ancheta that her cousin lived nearby. She said he told her, “If I get kicked out of the Army, I get kicked out.”
She testified that he was shooting at the woods, then turned toward the houses. She also stated he shot in the direction her cousin had walked in.
Under cross, she testified that Ancheta was the only one who fired the gun that evening.
The woman testified that in relation to the house they were at, other houses were in the area, as well as a slightly wooded area.
Her cousin testified that Ancheta had walked up with a gun. The cousin testified that he (the cousin) had left and began walking down the road. He said about 30-40 seconds after he left he heard shots being fired. He said under cross that he heard two shots before he got into a neighbor’s house.
Another witness testified that the gun involved was his father’s. He said Ancheta asked to shoot the gun, and the witness said it was a bad idea due to the homes around. He said after Ancheta fired the gun, he (the witness) took it and left.
Jesse Staley testified that he and his wife were lying in bed that evening, talking about their week. He said he heard gunshots, then the sound of breaking glass. He said he then saw a hole in their dresser, situated next to the bed. Staley said turned off the lights because they weren’t sure if they were intentionally being shot at. He said they then went toward the center of their trailer and called their landlord, then 911.
He testified that when state troopers arrived, they removed the bullet that was lodged in the dresser.
State Trooper Adam Gibson testified that while on scene, the bullet was retrieved, as were four shell casings.
Defense attorney Gary Knaresboro requested that the charge of discharge of a firearm be dismissed. He said that in Pennsylvania, there are three criteria of culpability that must be met in the charge; knowingly, intentionally or recklessly firing the shot. He said it was not knowingly, intentional or reckless.
“It was negligent,” said Knaresboro. “Negligent or careless.”
First Assistant District Attorney Beau Grove saw it differently.
“His behavior was a the very least reckless,” said Grove. “He was warned. He said he didn’t care.”
Magisterial District Judge James Hawkins bound all charges to the next term of court and set bail at $50,000 unsecured.
