New trial ordered for Farrell man convicted of birthday party murder

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a Farrell man serving life without parole for murdering a man at a party.
The state’s highest court on Tuesday overturned the 2017 conviction of 36-year-old Michael Bagnall.
Bagnall was found guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of 23-year-old Jaylen West during Bagnall’s birthday party on February 28, 2015, on Quinby Street in Sharon.
Bagnall, who was out of jail on parole at the time of the shooting, allegedly shot West after an argument over money stolen during the party.
The justices found that the Mercer County District Attorney did not tell the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office about a previous deal the DA made with a witness when the attorney general took over prosecuting the case.
The shooting triggered a massive manhunt that crossed the state line, with at least a half a dozen agencies searching an apartment complex and hotel in Hermitage.
The Supreme Court ruling may be read below: