DA: Charges Could Come Soon in Matthew Kelly Case

Charges could be filed in the next few weeks in the case of a Nazareth Area High School graduate shot and killed earlier this year in Easton. 

Bethlehem resident Matthew Kelly was killed at the beginning of April, and his death went before a Northampton County grand jury a few weeks later.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Monday charges could be filed in the case within 30-60 days "if not sooner."

He was speaking at a news conference about two more recent cases: a shootout in Bethlehem that killed a 23-year-old woman, and the death of Paul Murray on Easton's South Side on Sunday.

Kelly, 20, was shot and fatally wounded April 1 in the parking lot of a West Ward church. 

Police believe Kelly and two women had planned to rob a man named Brian Simmons.

Police say Simmons had gone to meet with Kelly in a church parking lot at the 1100 block of Spruce Street, believing he'd be taking part in a drug deal.

Simmons was shot and also stabbed when the meeting turned violent, with numerous people shooting at each other. Kelly was shot and died the following day at Easton Hospital.

Kelly was a 2010 graduate of Nazareth Area High School.

Morganelli said he also expects to bring charges in the death of Miguel Aponte, who was shot and killed in downtown Easton in 2009.