Change of attorneys delays trial for East Millsboro man accused in fatal stabbing
The trial for an East Millsboro man charged with fatally stabbing another man was postponed for at least four months due to a conflict of interest involving a new witness.
During a Thursday hearing, Fayette County Judge Joseph M. George Jr. granted Sylvester Kline Conaway’s new court-appointed attorney, Phyllis Jin, at least 120 days to prepare for his homicide trial.
Conaway, 55, is awaiting trial after being charged with criminal homicide in the stabbing death of 24-year-old Shawn Hriscisce’s death. State police alleged Conaway killed Hriscisce and stabbed Joshua Kelly in the arm in January 2024 during a confrontation at 529 Hilltop Road in Redstone Township.
The judge said Conaway needed to obtain a new attorney due to a conflict of interest arising from a newly discovered witness. That witness is represented by the county’s public defender’s office, which could not represent both men because it presents a conflict of interest.
The hearing was initially intended to argue whether prosecutors had taken too long to bring Conaway’s case to trial. If a judge decided they had, the case could either be dismissed or Conaway could be released on nominal bond.
Conaway, who appeared remotely, voiced his displeasure with the 120-day delay.
“You’re saying it goes against me? For them dropping my case?” Conaway asked.
George said it was a judicial delay to ensure Jin was up to speed and could effectively defend Conaway.
“The only way to count (the delay) against the commonwealth was if it was their fault,” George said.
When asked, Conway acknowledged the conflict of interest for the public defender’s office representing both him and the new witness, He also contended that prosecutors gave the witness “a deal to lie against me.”
Jin said she was not aware that Conaway, whose trial was slated to begin on Monday, had been charged with homicide until she met him at the jail on Tuesday.
“I told him that I definitely would not be able to go to trial on this case next week,” she said.
When asked about any other potential conflict of interest, District Attorney Mike Aubele said it was possible Jin – a longtime defense attorney – may have worked with another witness that would testify.
“We have approximately eight to 10 witnesses that have fairly extensive criminal records,” Aubele said.