Man acquitted in murder case faces old charges

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steve Cook

Tyshawn Plowden and his attorney Cheryl Coleman react to a complete acquittal Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

SCHENECTADY — The man acquitted this week on charges related to a 2016 Schenectady murder now must face charges in another shooting — in Pennsylvania.

Tyshawn Plowden, 28, appeared in Schenectady County Court Friday morning and learned details of warrants for his arrest in two jurisdictions.

Authorities in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, are seeking him in connection with a 2013 non-fatal shooting there.

In New York, Westchester County also wants him on a prison contraband charge.

Friday’s appearance came two days after a Schenectady County Court jury acquitted Plowden in the May 6, 2016, shooting of Taquan Foreman at 410 Paige St.

Prosecutors accused Plowden of serving as an accomplice in a home invasion-robbery plot that ended in Foreman’s death.

Plowden’s attorney at trial, Cheryl Coleman, successfully argued there was not enough reliable evidence to convict him. The jury found Plowden not guilty after a full day’s deliberation.

The jury is still considering murder and other charges against Plowden’s former co-defendant, Arsheen Montgomery.

Under normal circumstances, Plowden would have been released after his acquittal. He had believed the Pennsylvania case to be behind him, according to another of his attorneys, Sven Paul, who was in court with Plowden on Friday.

Plowden faced drug and aggravated assault charges, along with three other defendants, in connection with the Nov. 17, 2013, shooting of a man in Johnstown, according to an account in the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat.

A judge later threw out the case because prosecutors didn’t hold his trial in time. They couldn’t, according to online filings, because Plowden was in New York State, serving time still owed for an earlier Schenectady County weapons conviction.

An appeals court, however, just three weeks ago reinstated the 2013 Pennsylvania charges, finding prosecutors there acted properly.

Now, Pennsylvania wants Plowden extradited to face their charges.

Paul indicated his client will fight extradition for now, to learn more about the recent appeals ruling. The case is due to be back in court next week.

Westchester County, being in New York, could ask for Plowden’s arrest on those charges whenever prosecutors there are ready.