Homicide charge dropped, others sent to trial in case against Erie man accused of killing girlfriend

A district judge has dismissed a homicide charge against an Erie man accused of killing his girlfriend in November after the defense argued in court this morning that the manner of the woman's death has not been determined.

Erie 3rd Ward District Judge Tom Carney dismissed the charge at the end of 51-year-old Jeff A. Selby's hourlong preliminary hearing, following testimony from Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook.

Cook said he ruled the death of 51-year-old Mary Smith as undetermined. Cook did say that natural causes were ruled out in Smith's death.

Erie County Assistant District Attorney Erin Connelly had earlier presented Smith's autopsy report as evidence, and said that, in the opinion of Erie County forensic pathologist Eric Vey, M.D., Smith died of lack of oxygen to the brain.

Erie police accuse Selby of inflicting fatal injuries on Smith, his girlfriend, inside her apartment at 428 W. 17th St. on Nov. 24.

Selby was initially charged with attempted homicide in the incident. The charge was withdrawn, and a homicide charge was filed against him, after Smith was pronounced dead at Saint Vincent Health Center on Nov. 27.

Carney ordered Selby held for trial on charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering and unlawful restraint.

See Friday's Erie Times-News and GoErie.com for more coverage.


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