A judge approved a second lawyer for Elizabeth Chinn, the woman accused of killing 67-year-old Timothy Paul while burglarizing his home on Old Stewartstown Road in April 2018.
Ryan Shreve, Chinn’s attorney, requested co-counsel be appointed because of the seriousness of the charge — first-degree murder. Prosecutor Perri DeChristopher said she thought co-counsel would be appropriate.
Judge Phillip Gaujot agreed and appointed Scott Shough as co-counsel. Shough is the fourth attorney assigned to Chinn since Pennsylvania State Police arrested her at the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Plains Township, Pa., near Philadelphia.
Jason Wingfield was originally appointed as her defense counsel but recused himself because of a conflict of interest.
Kevin Tipton was then assigned Chinn’s case but recused himself at her request in May. Tipton didn’t know why Chinn didn’t want him to represent her and said he doubted she would be happy with any attorney.
Chinn was agitated at Tuesday’s hearing and at one point said, “I’m just going to refuse to come back to court.” She made several other outbursts claiming she was raped in jail and people didn’t understand what she was going through.
“It’s ok, I’ll deal with it on my own,” Chinn could be heard saying. “I’ll be fine.”
Shreve’s responses to each of Chinn’s comments were inaudible but he appeared to be reassuring her.
“She’s just upset and frustrated, given the circumstances,” Shreve told Gaujot.
He also informed Gaujot he’s yet to receive the discovery for the case from Tipton. Shreve requested Chinn’s trial, scheduled for August, be moved to allow him time to get her files and review them. DeChristoper didn’t object and noted there was a lot to go through.
Her trial was moved to October, the same week as Glenn Weaver’s, who was allegedly part of the burglary.
