Skip to content

Three Men Arrested in 2017 Homicide

According to Acting Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar, three men have been sentenced for their role in a drug-related kidnapping and double homicide case from 2017.

Authorities say both Marekus Benson and Samson Washington received life sentences after being convicted in October on charges of 1st degree homicide, criminal conspiracy and aggravated assault in the deaths of Damian Staniszewski and James Smith, whose bodies were found dumped along Ligonier Pike.

Washington was also found guilty on charges of unlawful restraint.

Officials say a third man, Devon Wyrick, was sentenced to serve 21 to 80 years in prison after being convicted of 3rd degree murder.

Prosecutors argued that the three men had conspired to kill the two victims after they allegedly broke into a Johnstown stash house that belonged to the Ohio-based East Main Money Gang.

A fourth man charged in the case, DeAndre Callender, was acquitted of charges of kidnapping and criminal conspiracy during the trial.

Back To Top