Homicide suspect released after bail hearing
A man who is charged with homicide in a reported robbery gone awry was released from jail following a bail hearing Tuesday.
Joel Michael Grooms, 30, of Uniontown is free on a $5,000 unsecured bond. He was initially denied bail in the death of Marquell L. Bailey, 25, at a vacant Pershing Court apartment Nov. 27.
Police allege Bailey, Grooms, Devin Michael Fitzgerald, 28, Megan Marie Bowlen, 24, and Miranda Jean Engle, 31, all of Uniontown, conspired to rob Derek Lee Royster, 29, of cocaine at the apartment. Instead, a fight broke out over the drugs. Royster allegedly shot Bailey in the chest.
Police searched for Grooms until Dec. 18 when a tip led to his arrest.
Bowlen and Engle were released from jail last week, Engle with a condition of electronic monitoring. Grooms and the women faced a hearing before Magisterial District Judge Michael Metros, Monday. Grooms鈥� hearing was continued to a later date, along with Royster蘑菇视频. Criminal homicide charges lodged against the women were withdrawn at their hearings. They waived their remaining charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. Fitzgerald faced a preliminary hearing Tuesday, which was continued to a later date.
Royster and Fitzgerald remain in Fayette County Prison in lieu of bond.