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Two men will face homicide charges in Lancaster County Court after preliminary hearings this week regarding separate killings.
Both men are at Lancaster County Prison without bail.
Wilberto Melendez, 41, is charged with killing William Earl Cooper Jr., 31, on Oct. 27, 2017.
Cooper sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was found dead on a sidewalk in the 300 block of South Marshall Street.
Melendez was arrested in York County on Feb. 14.
At a preliminary hearing Thursday, Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson called two Lancaster city police detectives to testify of witness statements and other evidence that led police to Melendez.
District Judge Jodie E. Richardson ruled enough evidence was presented to bound the case to county court.
Lancaster city police Detective Robert Whiteford filed charges. Melendez is also charged with intimidating a witness and two felony firearms charges. Anderson upgraded one of those firearms charges to a first-degree felony.
– Raymond L. Brown, 28, is charged with repeatedly shooting 26 year-old Adan Sepulveda on March 24 in the first block of West Farnum Street.
Brown waived a preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon, appearing to sign paperwork, according to Assistant District Attorney Christine L. Wilson. District Judge Adam Witkonis then ordered the case to county court.
Brown called 911 after he shot Sepulveda, who was found on a sidewalk and later pronounced dead at a hospital. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds, to the head and torso.
Lancaster city police Detective Aaron Harnish filed charges.
Melendez and Brown are presumed innocent.
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