The hearings for two people accused in the murder of a local gay man were postponed this week.
Thomas Brennan, 25, is accused of stabbing and bludgeoning to death Scott Bernheisel last month during a drug-related robbery in the 200 block of Wilder Street in Pennsport. Crystal Leibhart, 27, allegedly assisted Brennan in trying to cover up the crime.
Bernheisel’s body was found May 28 in a suitcase near the Philadelphia International Airport.
Brennan was charged with murder, robbery, theft, conspiracy, abuse of a corpse and related offenses and Leibhart with robbery, theft, conspiracy, obstruction and hindering the apprehension of a criminal.
Brennan was set for a preliminary hearing June 24 but it was delayed until July 7 in Room 306 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. The motion for a continuance, granted by Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dugan, was requested by the Commonwealth. Leibhart’s preliminary hearing scheduled for June 23 was delayed a day because the defendant requested a sign-language interpreter. It was then postponed also until July 7 by Commonwealth request.
Dugan further denied Leibhart’s petition for a bail reduction. Her bail was set at $500,000. Brennan is being held without bail.