A Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Office plans to seek the death penalty for a homeless man accused of killing three family members after his first court appearance Wednesday, Bucks County Courier Times reported.
Andre Gordon Jr. faced a potential death sentence in Pennsylvania for allegedly killing three family members during an alleged two-state crime spree March 2024, according to the Bucks County Courier Times (BCCT), republished by PhillyBurbs. Following these alleged crimes, the District Attorney’s Office in Bucks County reportedly announced plans to pursue the death penalty against the suspect for murder charges and associated counts stemming from his alleged crimes.
“I am putting this defendant on notice,” District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said in court Wednesday, the BCCT reported. Although Schorn is pursuing the death penalty, Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has said he will not permit executions in the state during his tenure, New York Post reported.
Homeless man accused of killing 3 relatives in Pa. standoff will face death penalty — but governor won’t allow executions https://t.co/qDThm795XX pic.twitter.com/g05fW6seR5
— New York Post (@nypost) April 3, 2024
Gordon Jr. allegedly started his deadly rampage March 16 by stealing a car in New Jersey, then drove to Pennsylvania, authorities said, the BCCT reported. He allegedly murdered his stepmother, Karen Gordon, 52, and his sister, Kera,13, in their Pennsylvania home, police stated, according to the New York Post. In another Pennsylvania house, he allegedly killed Taylor Daniel, 25, the mother of his children, and allegedly seriously wounded their grandmother with a rifle, the outlet reported. The two young children reportedly witnessed the alleged killing of their mother, according to police. (RELATED: Florida Man To Be Executed After Nearly 40 Years On Death Row Despite Defense Team’s Claims Of Gender Dysphoria)
He fled the scene of his alleged crimes and was arrested by law enforcement in New Jersey and sent to Pennsylvania, the New York Post reported. During his initial court appearance, Gordon, without legal representation, seemed confused when questioned by Judge John Galloway, according to the BCCT. Gordon mostly said “Yes, sir” to questions but reportedly showed confusion when the judge questioned him about the arraignment’s purpose. “I have the right to remain silent?” he inquired at one point, the outlet reported.
The judge ruled to hold Gordon without bail and banned him from contacting eight people, among them his family, children and the person he allegedly carjacked, according to the BCCT.