Suspects in Monongahela teen's murder to stand trial

With a feeding tube in her nose, a 17-year-old shooting victim testified in court Friday about the April 13 incident that killed her friend and sent her to the hospital for six weeks.

The four suspects charged in connection with the shooting death of Annalaya Wilkerson, 18, of Monongahela, appeared Friday morning at the Washington County Courthouse. Windale Barfield Jr., his brother Anthony Barfield and Karon Whitlock all face homicide charges. Jeheili Yonshay Cochran is charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction and tampering with evidence. Cochran is accused of helping Whitlock flee the state and getting rid of the murder weapon.

Whitlock, 20, of Washington, waived his right to a preliminary hearing. District Judge John Bruner brought the charges against the other three defendants in Common Pleas Court.

Chelsie Estock, of Elizabeth, testified that she and Wilkerson rode with Windale Barfield and Whitlock to Jolly School Road in South Franklin Township, where Barfield, 19, of Washington, is accused of shooting multiple shootings at teenagers.

Estock was shot in the abdomen and transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. She has had 18 surgeries and more will be needed. She said that as a result, she currently cannot eat properly and needs a feeding tube.

According to Estock's testimony, on the night of April 13, Wilkerson used Estock's cell phone to send a text message to Anthony Barfield, 17, of Washington. Wilkerson asked Barfield to meet them at the Red Roof Inn in Canton Township, where the two girls had rented a room. Instead, Barfield sent his brother and Whitlock to lead them. Anthony Barfield is charged as an adult.

Estock testified that they stopped at Whitlock's girlfriend's apartment for a short time before leaving.

Estock said she and Wilkerson thought they were going to meet Anthony Barfield when they arrived in the 500 block of Jolly School Road. Windale Barfield parked in the driveway of a house and said they had to walk the rest of the way. Estock said he heard gunshots and Wilkerson yelling “Winnie.”

When first responders arrived, Estock told a rescuer that “Winnie” had shot them. Under cross-examination by Pittsburgh attorney William Difenderfer, who represents Windale Barfield, Estock clarified that she never saw the gun or who fired it.

The first witness District Attorney Jason Walsh called to testify was Whitlock, who spoke softly, sometimes mumbling, prompting the district judge to repeatedly ask him to speak out loud and into the microphone.

Whitlock shared a similar account to Estock, although they differed on some key details. He told police he was unaware of any plans to kill Wilkerson.

Whitlock testified that when they stopped at his girlfriend's apartment, he smoked marijuana and had several drinks of alcohol. Although he was initially driving when they left, Whitlock claimed he was too drunk to drive and Windale Barfield took over.

Estock said she never saw Whitlock drink alcohol. According to his testimony, at the apartment, they rolled a joint and smoked it in the car. Barfield then asked to drive.

The two also disagreed as to why they were at Jolly School Road. Whitlock testified that Barfield and Wilkerson were planning to buy drugs. Estock said they both felt like they were meeting with Anthony Barfield and there was no discussion about purchasing drugs.

When Walsh asked Whitlock who shot Wilkerson after they got out of the car, he began shaking his right leg nervously and struggled to hold back tears. Walsh asked again and he continued to remain silent.

When Walsh asked if it was Windale Barfield who pulled the trigger, Whitlock said yes.

Difenderfer questioned Whitlock's credibility and asked if he was actually the one who shot the teens.

“No, it was Windale,” Whitlock testified.

Whitlock said he ran after hearing gunshots and that Windale Barfield drove by and picked him up a short time later. He testified that they went to Anthony Barfield, who allegedly told Whitlock that he and his brother planned Wilkerson's murder together.

He claimed they did so believing Wilkerson was plotting with rival gangs to “align” them, which Walsh asked him to define.

“She was trying to get them killed,” Whitlock said.

Washington County Detective Matthew Collins pulled data from the cell phones of Estock, Wilkerson and Whitlock. Estock's phone shows several text messages exchanged with a number police believe belongs to Anthony Barfield. Estock testified that Wilkerson was using his phone.

At 10:09 p.m., Estock's phone sent a message to Barfield saying, “Where are they taking us?”

At 10:56 p.m., around the time the shooting occurred, he responded with “yo.”

Collins testified that cellphone location data shows Wilkerson and Whitlock were together from the Red Roof Inn on Jolly School Road. At 11:01 p.m., Whitlock's phone left the scene while Wilkerson's remained.

The following Monday, police issued arrest warrants for Windale Barfield and Whitlock. Whitlock said he met Cochran in Monongahela that day.

“Everything will be fine,” Whitlock remembers what Cochran told him. “Do not say anything.”

Cochran drove Whitlock to New York, where Windale Barfield had fled. During the trip, Whitlock claims Cochran told her she had gotten rid of the gun used in the shooting. The weapon has not been found.

Brothers Barfield and Whitlock also face conspiracy and aggravated assault charges. All three are being held without bail in the Washington County Jail. Cochran is free on $200,000 unsecured bond.

The formal arraignment is scheduled for July 18 at 9 a.m.