Hearing Set for Final Suspect in KNBT Bank Robbery

Lehigh County court has set the date for the prelimiary hearing of the final suspect in the KNBT Bank robbery to March 10 at 10:30 a.m.

This will be the third time Isaah J. Sampson, 22, of 903 N. Front St., Allentown, was meant to face the court on charges that he participated in the robbery of KNBT Bank on Main Street in Emmaus on Dec. 30.

The first hearing was set for Jan. 28, but that was continued because District Attorney James Martin amendd the the charges against all three suspects.

Also charged are Hishamu T. Curry, 35, of Philadelphia and Edward Anthony Maye, also known as Andre Sheppard, 32, of 446 E. Lexington St., Allentown.

The original charges varied for the three suspects and included attempted criminal homicide, robbery and aggravated assault based. Sampson was accused of shooting at police while the three tried to escape Emmaus and Maye allegedly pistol-whipped a teller inside the bank.

However, on Jan. 28 the charges were amended by police and filed by the District Attorney's Office to be uniform for all three suspects.

Charles F. Gallagher III, chief deputy district attorne, had said that in a conspiracy, which this crime is considered to be, all alleged participants are viewed as being equally guilty. In other words, if one pulls a trigger, it's as if they all pulled the trigger.

The second hearing was then set for Feb. 17, last Thursday. By that tine, one suspect, Curry, had waived the hearing, and on that date, Maye waived the hearing as well. That left only Sampson.

In court, Gallagher said he had also expected Sampson to waive the hearing, but Sampson's attorney begged to differ.

Sampson’s attorney, Mariana Rossman of Philadelphia, called Gallagher's assumption wishful thinking.

"I wish to win the lottery. I don't think that will happen," she said in court. "I therefore work."

Rossman asked that the judge not to continue the hearing for a second time.

But the witnesses for the prosecution, the police and bank employees caught up in the event, were not summoned to court on Thursday, so District Judge Charles H. Crawford continued the hearing. The date, March 7 and time 10:30 a.m. was released Friday, Feb. 18. Crawford said it would be the last continuance granted.

A preliminary hearing is held to determine whether probable causes exists to continue to hold the accused. While many of these hearings are formalities because of acquired evidence, it is the right of the accused to have the hearing. Often, suspects may waive the hearing and simply contest the charges during a trial.

Rossman said that her client, Sampson, wants a full hearing as is his right.