Two accused of killing West Pittston man

[RaVeN71806]

PITTSTON PA- Two Pittston men are facing charges in the death of a 25-year-old West Pittston man who was found beaten and strangled with a clothesline early Sunday morning next to the home of one of the suspects.

Nicholas Policare, 19, of Rear 10 Defoe St., and Andre Edwards, 31, of 125 William St., face charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy related to the death of Joseph Lesh. They were arraigned shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday by Magisterial District Judge Fred Pierantoni, have preliminary hearings scheduled for Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. and are being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility because bail is not permitted for criminal homicide.

Policare and Edwards had made no comments to the press.

According to the affidavit, police were dispatched to the area of 128 William St. at about 2:55 a.m. for the report of two men assaulting another. Neighbors said they had seen two men arguing near the Lincoln Apartments about a half-hour before the police showed up.

When they arrived, police saw a male, immediately identified as Policare, who was hiding beside a bush next to 125 William St. and had what appeared to be blood "all over his person." When police asked Policare to come to them, he ran behind the building and was eventually captured on Fear Street.


I never thought that I would have to post something like this in my entire life especially a family member..the young man that these two scumbags murdered was my cousin..:flamemad:

http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/two_accused_of_killing_west_pittston_man

[One2Snoop]

I'm so sorry to hear this Raven. Please keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. :rose:

[SaraSidle]

PITTSTON PA- Two Pittston men are facing charges in the death of a 25-year-old West Pittston man who was found beaten and strangled with a clothesline early Sunday morning next to the home of one of the suspects.

Nicholas Policare, 19, of Rear 10 Defoe St., and Andre Edwards, 31, of 125 William St., face charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy related to the death of Joseph Lesh. They were arraigned shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday by Magisterial District Judge Fred Pierantoni, have preliminary hearings scheduled for Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. and are being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility because bail is not permitted for criminal homicide.

Policare and Edwards had made no comments to the press.

According to the affidavit, police were dispatched to the area of 128 William St. at about 2:55 a.m. for the report of two men assaulting another. Neighbors said they had seen two men arguing near the Lincoln Apartments about a half-hour before the police showed up.

When they arrived, police saw a male, immediately identified as Policare, who was hiding beside a bush next to 125 William St. and had what appeared to be blood "all over his person." When police asked Policare to come to them, he ran behind the building and was eventually captured on Fear Street.


I never thought that I would have to post something like this in my entire life especially a family member..the young man that these two scumbags murdered was my cousin..:flamemad:

http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/two_accused_of_killing_west_pittston_man

I am very sorry Raven. sara :rose:

[lorettalockhorn]

RaVeN, God bless and keep you and your family in your hour of sorrow and God rest Joseph's soul.

[samanthajane13]

I'm so very sorry for your loss, Raven!!

[BeastofBears]

How terrible! I'm so sorry, Raven!

[lighthousedazy]

Raven, I am so sorry. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. :rose:

[Its just me]

:rose:

Raven, I'm very sorry about you loss. You and all Joseph's family will be in my prayers. May God give you all strength and comfort in the tough days ahead. fep

[samanthajane13]

I just posted a condolence thread for Raven in the Lounge.

[scubadvr99]

Raven, I am so sorry for your loss. I will have you and your family in my prayers :rose:

[RaVeN71806]

Thank you everyone..joey is my dads brother son..what I don't understand is how can a human being be so cruel and heartless..Joey was so special to me and my family aswell his brother we grew up together they lived with us..my heart is broken...Joey wasn't just my cousin he was my brother and they took his life..he had three children who will now grow up without a father...I hate these people I never say that word but I hate them and they deserve to die the same way Joey did..I'm very sad :(

[RaVeN71806]

PITTSTON – Two city men were arrested and charged on Sunday in the beating and strangulation death of a West Pittston man that occurred just yards from an apartment complex for the elderly.

State police process the scene of Sunday’s homicide on William Street in Pittston. Joseph Lesh, 25, of West Pittston, was discovered on the sidewalk and pronounced dead at 4:08 a.m. Sunday.

Police discovered the bloody body of Joseph Lesh, 25, lying on the sidewalk along the side of 125 William St. at about 3 a.m. Sunday while chasing one of the suspects.

Andre Edwards, 31, and Nicholas Policare, 19, both were charged Sunday with one count of criminal homicide, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal conspiracy. They were arraigned before District Judge Fred Pierantoni in Pittston and placed in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail.

Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said during a press conference after the arraignment that it’s clear from evidence investigators gathered that the incident involved alcohol, the three men knew each other, words were exchanged and it escalated to a homicide.

http://www.timesleader.com/news/latest/Pair_beat__strangled_man__police_say_08-31-2009.html

[Nawny]

Dear Raven I am so sorry. My condolence's. This kind of sorrow is more than grief, and I hope your family will be embraced by love until healing comes and beyond. You are in my thoughts today.

:rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:
Nawny

[Gatordog]

Raven I am so sorry for your loss. I pray for you and for Joey's family. Another person to sing "Gone too Soon". Just too tragic.

[Its just me]

Thank you everyone..joey is my dads brother son..what I don't understand is how can a human being be so cruel and heartless..Joey was so special to me and my family aswell his brother we grew up together they lived with us..my heart is broken...Joey wasn't just my cousin he was my brother and they took his life..he had three children who will now grow up without a father...I hate these people I never say that word but I hate them and they deserve to die the same way Joey did..I'm very sad :(

:rose:You and your family are in my prayers today. I can understand how you feel. Cling to your loved ones but feel free to cling to your internet family. Sometimes talking is good for the soul. We all are here for you with Love and Support. God Bless, IJM/fep

[RaVeN71806]

LESH, JOSEPH RONALD, Thursday, Mass, 10 a.m., St. John the Evangelist Church, 1501 Pittston Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. James Walsh. Interment, Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Friends may go directly to the church. Friends may call today, 4 to 8 p.m., at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton. Memorials: Joseph R. Lesh Memorial Fund at Penn East Federal Credit Union, 441 N. Seventh Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

and Joeys Obiturary

oseph Ronald Lesh, 25, of West Pittston died Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of David J. and Roseanne Mead Lesh.

He was employed as a fabricator by Interstate Building Materials, Pittston. He was a member of the 20th Ward Social and Athletic Club. Joe deeply loved his children and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He also enjoyed music, NASCAR, fishing and skateboarding with his brother, David.

He will be dearly missed, but always fondly remembered by his pop, mom, brothers, sister, family and many friends.

Also surviving are a daughter, Marylin Lesh; two sons, Gabriel and Logan Lesh; the mother of his children, Telitha Drass, Pittston; sister, Kelly Bull; two brothers, Jeremy Bull and David R. Lesh; maternal grandmother, Santa Mead; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Raymond L. Mead; his paternal grandparents, Harold and Rose Lesh; and a niece, Abigail Lesh.

The funeral will be held Thursday with Mass at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 1501 Pittston Ave., Scranton, to be celebrated by the Rev. James Walsh. Interment will be in Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Those attending the funeral should go directly to the church. Friends may call Wednesday, 4 to 8 p.m., at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph R. Lesh Memorial Fund, Penn East Federal Credit Union, 441 N. Seventh Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

[Its just me]

:rose: for Raven.

[RaVeN71806]

this is the news coverage

http://www.wnep.com/wnep-luz-two-arrested-beating-death,0,1284535.story

[lorettalockhorn]

RaVen, these two are animals, for the one to claim Joseph wouldn't leave is akin to blaming him for this gruesome crime. I pray this won't go over well with a jury.

More condolences, especially to the little ones.

[SaraSidle]

RaVen, these two are animals, for the one to claim Joseph wouldn't leave is akin to blaming him for this gruesome crime. I pray this won't go over well with a jury.

More condolences, especially to the little ones.

Raven I want to thank you for keeping us updated. Your family must be feeling so bad right now. I am so sorry. I hope these 2 animals get more than what they deserve in buckets. sara

[Nawny]

Raven I know your heart is so broken. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and there are no words. This is inhuman. I'm so sorry.

Luv
Nawn

[RaVeN71806]

well the hearing has been rescheduled to end of this month because of the one guy saying he "blacked out" which is a bunch of bull the D.A has to now go back and go through everything again..I just wish for it to be over with already just sentence them and let Joey be at peace...

[RaVeN71806]

RaVen, these two are animals, for the one to claim Joseph wouldn't leave is akin to blaming him for this gruesome crime. I pray this won't go over well with a jury.

More condolences, especially to the little ones.

hes the one who was suppost to be Joeys friend too..

[RaVeN71806]

my heart is broken all I have in my head is the image of what they did too him everyday...:(

[scubadvr99]

my heart is broken all I have in my head is the image of what they did too him everyday...:(

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.

[LetsBeConcerned]

well the hearing has been rescheduled to end of this month because of the one guy saying he "blacked out" which is a bunch of bull the D.A has to now go back and go through everything again..I just wish for it to be over with already just sentence them and let Joey be at peace...

hes the one who was suppost to be Joeys friend too..

My heart goes out to you and your family… I know that it is just awful to know that they were “friends”

I had a cousin that was killed in 1982 by 3 acquaintances… Their motive was to rob him… They beat him in the head with a 2x4… stabbed him 17 times and then buried him alive. Yet their defense in court was that they didn’t mean to kill him.

P.S. They never did get the money… My cousin had given that to a friend to hold before going to the beach to have a beer with those fools.

For Joey :rose:

[LetsBeConcerned]

my heart is broken all I have in my head is the image of what they did too him everyday...:(


May I suggest that you start writing down all the happy, fun and poignant memories of your cousin Joey as they come to you… A diary of sorts and even a scrap book that includes pictures, that you can give to Joey’s little ones when they get older… It will be priceless to them~!!! It could also very therapeutic for you too.


For you and your family :rose:

[RaVeN71806]

My heart goes out to you and your family… I know that it is just awful to know that they were “friends”

I had a cousin that was killed in 1982 by 3 acquaintances… Their motive was to rob him… They beat him in the head with a 2x4… stabbed him 17 times and then buried him alive. Yet their defense in court was that they didn’t mean to kill him.

P.S. They never did get the money… My cousin had given that to a friend to hold before going to the beach to have a beer with those fools.

For Joey :rose:

I'm so sorry to hear that..for your cousin aswell :rose:..may he and Joey be good friends in heaven..

[RaVeN71806]

May I suggest that you start writing down all the happy, fun and poignant memories of your cousin Joey as they come to you… A diary of sorts and even a scrap book that includes pictures, that you can give to Joey’s little ones when they get older… It will be priceless to them~!!! It could also very therapeutic for you too.


For you and your family :rose:

I never thought of that..I have alot of picture's of him..thank you very much..

[Wagsy]

Raven,

I don't really know you that well since I'm still kinda' a newbie but that makes no difference when such a shocking tragedy has occurred to someone so very close to us. My thoughts and prayers are with you that you can eventually come to some kind of peace and healing in time. :rose:

I thank you for continuing to keep us updated on all the news about Joey. I hope it helps to share these things with your internet friends who care about one another.

Vent all you want/need to...we're here to listen.

[RaVeN71806]

Thanks Wags..

Well I found out that the cops found a third person who was there that night they took a DNA sample from him and also questioned him also there looking for a girl who was there that night..its funny on how these people are coming out of the wood work now..I was also told that the FBI and FTA are involved now..there really isn't alot being told to us because they want to keep it that way right now until it goes to trial...which I totally understand and so does my family..and the cops and the people who live in the apartment place where Joey was murdered our being so kind to my uncle...they have a memorial set up for Joey where he was murdered and the man who lives there said to my uncle not to worry that none of the things would be touched as did the police chief...

[Seashell]

Raven i have been away and only just now found out about your cousin, please accept my condolences and know i also feel your pain.
Last nov. my extended family a nephew was murdered by those terrorists while he was sitting in a coffee shop (mumbai), he was riddled by bullets and didnt have a chance.
Evil people exist and its terrible when we lose someone whom we loved dearly.
I am very sorry and sad for you all, {{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}} :rose:

[lorettalockhorn]

Seashell and LetsBe, condolences to both of you for your losses. It's a frightening world we live in.

Raven, we're still thinking about you and your family.

[RaVeN71806]

Yesterday was the hearing for my cousin and the two scumbags pleaded NOT GUILTY! after the fact they admitted to killing him! I'm so enraged right now..

Two Ordered to Trial in Beating Death

Two men from Luzerne County charged with a deadly beating are headed to trial.

A judge ruled Thursday there is enough evidence for Andre Edwards and Nicholas Policare to face charges for killing another man on August 30.

Pittston police call it a brutal, bloody beating. Prosecutors said they are satisfied both Edwards and Policare will have to face homcide charges.

Police said Joseph Lesh, 25, of West Pittston was kicked, punched, strangled and left nude and bloodied on a lawn.

"It was a very severe beating. There's no question about it and we feel very sorry for the family in this matter," said prosecutor Richard Hughes.

During a hearing Thursday, a county detective told a judge both Policare and Edwards admitted to having an argument with the victim about "who was running Pittston."

Investigators said Policare and Edwards savagely attacked Lesh that morning, "kicking and punching" him the in the chest and face and then "dragging his body" across William Street in Pittston by a clothesline tied around Lesh's neck.

"We're proud of our police and proud of our detectives for the fine work they did and we're happy we put on a case today that was sufficient to bind this over," Hughes added.

Both Policare and Edwards had family in court Thursday morning.

The victim's family was there as well.

No one wanted to comment after the hearing.

http://www.wnep.com/wnep-pitts-two-ordered-trial-beating-death,0,6539094.story

[samanthajane13]

Raven-

I'm so very sorry you and your family have to relive the horrors that your cousin went through in court.

Unfortunately, that's the price of getting Justice for victims. It's not bad enough that they killed him, then admitted it, but then they lie in court when they realize they ran their mouths about it. I really hope the investigators have their admissions on tape so they can't retract them.

You and your family will be in my prayers in the coming days.

Hugs-
Donna

[lorettalockhorn]

Raven, so sorry for this nightmare that you all have to endure. Have faith that justice will be served and remember that we're thinking about your family.

[RaVeN71806]

thank you..its really gonna suck to go to the trial but I'm going to support my cousin I have to now..Joey needs justice..I will keep you updated for the trial and when it will be..my poor uncle he was so upset..the mother of the policare kid went over and hugged him! my uncle flipped out he yelled loud enough for everyone to hear that she should not be allowed to do that..he said that I can't hug my son she can't hug hers..

[RaVeN71806]

Suspect Enters Plea in Unrelated Case

WILKES-BARRE - A Pittston man charged in the strangulation and beating death of another man pleaded guilty Wednesday in an unrelated simple assault case.

Nicholas Policare, 20, of Defoe Street, entered a guilty plea before county Judge Thomas Burke to charges he fought with a friend in a Pittston residence in March and would not leave.

Burke sentenced Policare to 30 days to six months in prison. Policare has already been in jail for 139 days after being arrested on homicide charges in.

I couldn't get the whole article because its past the 7 days and you have to pay for it..but this is one of the guys who murdered my cousin..he is being charged for another case for assault..I laugh at his friend's who have made comments that he would never do what he did to my cousin..I think thats b.s.

[SaraSidle]

Suspect Enters Plea in Unrelated Case

WILKES-BARRE - A Pittston man charged in the strangulation and beating death of another man pleaded guilty Wednesday in an unrelated simple assault case.

Nicholas Policare, 20, of Defoe Street, entered a guilty plea before county Judge Thomas Burke to charges he fought with a friend in a Pittston residence in March and would not leave.

Burke sentenced Policare to 30 days to six months in prison. Policare has already been in jail for 139 days after being arrested on homicide charges in.

I couldn't get the whole article because its past the 7 days and you have to pay for it..but this is one of the guys who murdered my cousin..he is being charged for another case for assault..I laugh at his friend's who have made comments that he would never do what he did to my cousin..I think thats b.s.

well You knew better and Karma has a mind of it own.

I am still so sorry you had to go through all this Raven. I am so glad you updated us..

sara

[lorettalockhorn]

Raven, thanks for coming back, we haven't forgotten about your family's loss. :rose:

Found this about Policare's recent sentencing:

Suspect enters plea in unrelated case: Nicholas Policare of Pittston awaiting trial in the death of Joseph Lesh last year.

Jan. 14--WILKES-BARRE -- A Pittston man charged in the strangulation and beating death of another man pleaded guilty Wednesday in an unrelated simple assault case.

Nicholas Policare, 20, of Defoe Street, entered a guilty plea before county Judge Thomas Burke to charges he fought with a friend in a Pittston residence in March and would not leave.

Burke sentenced Policare to 30 days to six months in prison. Policare has already been in jail for 139 days after being arrested on homicide charges in the August death of 25-year-old Joseph Lesh, but Burke said Policare will not be released, even though he has already served the minimum for the March assault.

The judge ordered Policare to have no contact with the victim in the assault case, Jeffrey Miller.

Policare was represented by attorney Thomas Cometa. Assistant District Attorney Jill Matthews prosecuted the case.

In October, Policare was removed from the county's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition Program because he was charged with homicide.

Judge David Lupas had sentenced Policare to six months in the ARD program, as well as 15 hours of community service for the simple assault in March. Policare was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution costs and to attend anger-management classes.

Just a few months later, in late August, Policare and another man, Andre Edwards, 31, were charged in the beating and strangulation death of Lesh.

Police said the three men had been fighting about "who was running Pittston." Policare began to kick and punch Lesh and dragged him out of the house and across the street.

Policare told police he kicked Lesh three times in the chest and neck and left him on a lawn of the Lincoln Heights Apartments.

An autopsy conducted by Dr. Gary Ross showed Lesh died of asphyxiation due to ligature strangulation due to a physical assault. Ross said there was a rope tied around Lesh's neck.

A probation officer said in October that Policare told her he was under the influence of alcohol in his alleged attack on Lesh, which is grounds enough to revoke his ARD.

Policare is awaiting trial on the homicide charges after pleading not guilty in December.

http://dailyme.com/story/2010011400001911/suspect-enters-plea-unrelated-case-nicholas.html

[RaVeN71806]

thank you loretta so much for posting the whole thing I greatly appreciate it..(hugs)..it's funny because this policare everyone claims he was such a good boy..many people our blind..I found out yesterday they searched his home after the murder and found a whole arsonal in his room and I'm not talking about a little hand gun I'm talkin AK's..so now the FBI is involved and also ATF..this kids ass is done and so isn't edwards I already knew his background before he killed my cousin so whatever comes out about him I already know..