The preliminary hearing for 34-year-old Chase Steigerwald, the Clarion man who faces a homicide charge in connection to the Nov. 5 death of 45-year-old Rachel Roman, of DuBois, has been continued for the second time.
District Judge Tim Shill said the hearing was postponed at the request of the defense attorneys, and that the hearing is now scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 12.
Schill said the hearing will be moved from the Central Court in Shippenville to the courtroom at the Clarion County Complex on Amsler Avenue. The Court of Common Pleas was moved to the complex due to the renovation at the Clarion County Courthouse.
Steigerwald is charged with criminal homicide in the stabbing death of Roman at Steigerwald’s apartment, at 308 Main St.
Steigerwald was initially charged with manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Those charges were dismissed when the homicide charge was filed.
Dr. Todd Luckasevic conducted an autopsy in Erie. He determined Roman suffered multiple sharp force injuries to the neck, face, chest, arm and hand. The official cause of death was ruled as sharp force injuries to the neck.
Steigerwald remains in Clarion County Jail.
