Trial under way in Schenectady convenience store shooting

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

Opening arguments got under way this morning in the trial of a man accused of fatally shooting a woman during a botched robbery at a convenience store in 2009.

Wade McCommons Jr., 25, of 836 Holland Road, faces a 17-count indictment including charges of second-degree murder, burglary, attempted robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.

McCommons allegedly attempted to rob the Eastern Avenue Deli & Grocery on June 5, 2009. Laurel Teer happened to be at the counter at the time and McCommons allegedly pistol whipped her and during the struggle, the gun discharged, firing a bullet through her head. McCommons then fled the scene. McCommons was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and his face is obscured on the video of the incident, prosecutors say.

A couple of weeks previously, McCommons allegedly forcibly entered a Rugby Road home in May 2009 and brandished a handgun at a female resident in an unsuccessful effort to obtain money.

In his opening remarks, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said the testimony of witnesses will link McCommons to the fatal shooting. McCommons can be heard telling people about the shooting during a recorded conversation.

There was no DNA evidence recovered at the convenience store scene, Carney said. However, McCommons’ DNA was recovered at the Rugby Road residence.

Attorney Adam Parisi said he will be challenging the reliability of the witnesses, saying that they are testifying against McCommons to avoid jail time. Also, he said DNA evidence found on Teer’s sweatshirt did not belong to McCommons.

The prosecution’s case could take all of next week, according to Carney.