Death penalty trial in slaying of off-duty Pittsburgh officer postponed until February

The trial for a man accused in 2019 of killing an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer has been postponed until Feb. 27.

Jury selection in the capital case against Christian Bey was supposed to begin on Monday before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kevin G. Sasinoski.

However, according to a motion for a continuance filed in the case this week, Bey’s defense attorneys need additional time to ensure that they meet the requirements under Pennsylvania law to be death-penalty qualified.

Bey, 33, of Wilkinsburg, is charged with criminal homicide and firearms counts stemming from the July 14, 2019, shooting death of off-duty Pittsburgh police Officer Calvin Hall.

Hall, 35, died three days later.

According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, Hall had been at a block party the night of July 13 on Monticello Street in Homewood. When he tried to leave, investigators said, an intoxicated woman tried to stop him and sat down in the middle of the road to block him.

Hall got out of his vehicle and moved her, but then could be seen arguing with Bey.

Hall left, but received a call asking him to come back a short time later because there was an argument between several women, including Bey’s mother.

Hall returned, asked the women what was going on and walked away. He went back again, tried to apologize to the women and was shot, police said.

Bey was arrested eight days after the shooting. About five weeks later, the district attorney’s office announced it would seek the death penalty, alleging three aggravating factors. They include that Hall was a police officer who was killed while performing his duties or because of his position; that the killing put others in grave danger; and because the slaying happened during the commission of another felony — Bey’s alleged firearms violations.

Pennsylvania Rule 801 sets the requirements for defense attorneys in the state to be able to participate in a death penalty case.

They include having at least five years experience in criminal law, as well as having served as lead or co-counsel in at least eight significant cases — felonies that carry at least 10 years in prison — that went to a jury for deliberation.

In addition, the attorneys must have completed at least 18 hours of continuing legal education relevant to capital representation in the last three years.

“The purpose of this rule is to provide minimum uniform statewide standards for the experience and education of appointed and retained counsel in capital cases, to thus ensure such counsel possess the ability, knowledge, and experience to provide representation in the most competent and professional manner possible,” the rule says.

Bey is represented by attorneys Thomas N. Farrell, Carmen Robinson and Elbert Gray Jr.

Farrell said he could not comment because of a gag order in the case. Robinson and Gray did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

According to the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education website, there are 29 attorneys listed in Allegheny County as being death penalty qualified. Farrell is included on the list. Neither Robinson nor Gray are.

Jury selection has been rescheduled for Feb. 27, with testimony to begin on March 13.