A convicted murder will not get relief on a self-defense claim regarding his conviction for killing a Lancaster father in a 2015 drug deal.
Stefon Landing, 22, was convicted of 3rd-degree murder and related charges for fatally shooting 22-year-old Devonte Gantt on Jan. 4. 2015 in Lancaster city.
Landing, serving a 22½-to-45-year prison sentence, filed a motion for relief with the Pennsylvania Superior Court, claiming he is due a new trial because he acted in self-defense.
The state court recently denied the claim, ruling that Landing needed to raise that issue with the Lancaster County judge who presided over the trial.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman won the conviction.
Landing, in his challenge, disputes the testimony of an eyewitness, Amos Clay III, who also was shot in the exchange. The trial jury found Clay’s testimony credible.
Regarding the shootings, Clay told police:
He, Gantt, and Landing met in the 700 block of High Street where Landing shot Gantt. Clay then pulled out a gun and returned fire, shooting Landing. Clay was shot in the leg.
Gantt was found dead in a backyard on the block. Police found Clay wounded. Landing went to a local hospital with a torso wound.
Lancaster city police Detective Nathan Nickel filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright