dme court

A defendant in the 2021 homicide at a College Street apartment building in Butler is seeking the return of money seized from his apartment by the FBI.

Through his attorney, Hassan Brack, 38, asked Common Pleas Judge Timothy McCune to order the return of an unspecified amount of money that the FBI seized when they executed a search warrant to look for drugs and drug paraphernalia.

McCune didn’t immediately rule on the request and said he will issue an order.

The FBI seized money and other items during an investigation related to the December 2021 homicide in which 31-year-old Hakeem Moran was stabbed and shot.

Co-defendants Kahlil Z.H. Rippy Jr., 26, and Brooke R. Fair Smith, 31, both of Butler, testified against Brack during a five day trial that ended April 11 in a mistrial because the jury was deadlocked. Butler police filed charges in the homicide case.

At a hearing Tuesday, June 17, Brack’s attorney, Rebecca Black, argued the FBI found no drugs or paraphernalia, but seized money and other items, and no evidence or testimony was presented linking the seized money to the alleged crime or drug activity.

She said the FBI didn't specify the amount of money seized and has turned the money over to Butler police.

Assistant district attorney Robert Zanella argued there was testimony during the trial about Brack dealing drugs with Rippy and Fair Smith. He said he does not know how much money was seized.

The other items the FBI seized from Brack’s apartment include a digital scale, several mobile phones, a watch, a handgun, a loaded magazine, Nike shoes and black sweatpants. The motion for return of property specifies the money only.