Judge Katherine McShane presided at a jury trial for Derrick Hutcherson from August 17-19, 2026. The jury convicted Hutcherson of attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, assault of a law enforcement officer, and possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a felony. The jury acquitted Hutcherson of burglary. 

On June 28, 2021, after a breakup, Hutcherson was told not to return to the house of Mariah Lewis, the mother of his 2-year-old child, Ace. The police participated in his removal from the Lower Paxton home. Later that day, at noon, Hutcherson returned and entered the home. He punched Mariah and, as she fled, shot her in the head. The bullet caused the complete loss of her left eye. Mariah ran away looking for assistance. Meaghan Farrell, who lived close by, rendered aid and called 911. 

Hutcherson remained in the home and posted a Facebook post admitting what he did. (Trial exhibit is below). Hutcherson took the 2-year-old, Ace, and Mariah's grandmother, Wanda Jackson, as hostages. He held them within the house for 33 hours refusing all demands to surrender. He threatened to kill the hostages. After 33 hours, the Pennsylvania State Police SERT Team forcibly entered and saved the hostages. The arrest caused no harm to Hutcherson who fired two shots at them during entry. Cpl. Damian Temperine of the Pennsylvania State Police SERT Team described the entry at trial.

Judge McShane ordered a presentence investigation. Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. The defendant remains incarcerated without bail until sentencing. Detective Gareth Kauffman of the Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police was the affiant on the criminal complaint and the lead investigator. 

Francis T. Chardo, District Attorney

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