Derry Township, PA -- Magisterial District Judge Kelly Tua Hammers held all charges for court in the criminal homicide case against Charles Ream, of Latrobe.

Ream was charged with homicide, robbery, burglary and theft in July by Pennsylvania State Police following the 2007 murder of Samantha Lang. 

Assistant District Attorney Leo Ciaramitaro is leading the prosecution and called several witnesses to testify at the preliminary hearing on Wednesday before the judge held all charges in the case. 

Ream remains incarcerated and is scheduled to appear in court for a formal arraignment in the fall. 

The Office of Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli disseminated the following news release the day of Ream's arrest: 

"After 16 years, Pennsylvania State Police and Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli announce the arrest of a Latrobe man accused in the murder of Samantha Lang, 22. Today, Pennsylvania State Police arrested Charles Ream, of Latrobe. Ream is being charged with criminal homicide, burglary, robbery and theft. Lang was found brutally murdered in March of 2007 in her Derry Township home. At the time, investigators said a rear door was forced open and the house was ransacked. Charles Ream was interviewed as part of this investigation initially and had purchased heroin off of Samantha Lang the day before her body was discovered. Through a search of her cell phone records, state troopers discovered the last contact Samantha had with anyone was the same day she sold heroin to Charles Ream. Several known informants to state police were interviewed -- as recent as just this month – and reported to state troopers that Ream relayed information about the killing of Lang and alleged it transpired over drugs and a possible foiled drug deal. Pennsylvania State Police’s Criminal Investigation Section focused on Samantha Lang’s case specifically this year, devoting additional resources and manpower hours made available through Major Matt Nickey, Area II Commander. District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli said, “This was a collaborative effort among our dedicated Assistant District Attorneys and investigators from Pennsylvania State Police who never gave up on this case and I commend them for their diligence. I cannot imagine the pain, anguish and grief the Lang family has suffered after all of this time. After 16 years, the perseverance and commitment shown to this investigation led to this arrest today and we hope it begins to bring justice and some relief to Samantha Lang’s family.”

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."