Crime & Safety

Hearing Delayed in Jeter Easton Homicide

Easton man accused of fatal shooting over summer appears in court Friday for preliminary hearing, but gets continuance for not having public defender.

Naheem Adams, accused in the fatal shooting of an Easton man last summer, doesn't seem to be in a rush for a speedy trial.

Appearing before District Judge Richard Yetter Friday afternoon, the man accused of killing George Jeter in July received a continuance of his preliminary hearing.

A new date has been set for 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 before Yetter.

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Yetter wondered why Adams had yet to file an application for a public defender twice. Adams told the judge he was awaiting a decision by his family.

The judge also wondered why Adams didn't sign a document for his right to a trial in 365 days when he appeared in county court on Dec. 4.

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"I'm not signing anything," said Adams, who wore an orange Northampton County Prison jumpsuit.

City police had charged Adams, 20, with criminal homicide in Jeter's death in July and issued a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested at his mother's home in Brooklyn on Halloween.

Yetter said that he was concerned that since Adams was charged on July 28, time was slipping away before he might have his trial within a year.

"You have a right to a speedy trial," the judge said.

Prosecutors for the Commonwealth said they wanted to make it clear that they were prepared to move forward with the case.

"We have an obligation to keep the case moving," one attorney said. "We're ready to go. You're not."

Yetter told Adams that he would not entertain any more requests for a continuance from him. He gave him a third application to file for a public defender and that he better have one in place for his Jan. 18 preliminary hearing.

Jeter, 28, of S. 14th Street, was shot to death July 27 on the 1400 block of Butler Street. According to court records, a witness saw Adams -- who goes by the nickname "Dot" -- fleeing the scene.

There have been five homicides in Easton this year, including two within the past month.


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