YORK — A case regarding an April armed robbery at the south Pizza Hut in York has taken on some new twists.
Jostin Hoit, 23, of York, appeared in York County District Court Monday afternoon with his attorney, York County Public Defender Nancy Waldron.
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Hoit has been the only person accused of committing the armed robbery, although witnesses say there were two men who entered the business at closing time with their faces covered and holding handguns.
They demanded the workers leave their cell phones on the counter and go inside a restroom. The two men were able to leave with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Waldron maintains that Hoit did not commit this crime and that he may have been framed by those who made initial reports to police.
She’s argued that there is no evidence linking him to the crime, except for information provided to the police by Hoit’s friends. And she says she has five people who can vouch for his whereabouts and his high level of intoxication the night of the crime.
On Monday, Waldron asked that the court allow her to utilize the services of a private investigator to dig further into the case.
York County Attorney Bill Sutter objected to the request, saying it was unnecessary and “this is a matter of whether the defendant committed the crime.”
“So the purpose would be a defense investigation?” Judge Alan Gless asked, to which Waldron said it would be.
The judge granted Waldron’s request, giving her the ability to hire the private investigator.
In the next twist, Waldron informed the court that she will be filing a motion, asking for a change of trial venue.
“We believe that with all the publicity this case has gotten, he won’t be able to get a fair trial here,” Waldron said.
The judge will consider that motion once it has been formally filed.
Hoit remains in custody at the York County Jail.
If convicted, he could be facing up to 100 years in prison, as both counts against him are Class 2 felonies
