by WILKES-BARRE — In a tense moment during a recent court hearing, Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney James L. McMonagle shed his usual calm demeanor to strongly oppose defense claims in the high-profile Hazleton homicide case involving Frangel Garcia Andujar, 23.
The dispute arose Friday before Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough, as Andujar’s attorneys, Lawrence J. Kansky and James J. Scanlon, sought access to cell phone records and text messages from the work phone of Detective Sergeant David Rodick. The defense alleges that Rodick intimidated witnesses tied to the fatal shooting case centered on a March 6, 2022 party on South Wyoming Street in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
Andujar faces charges related to the deadly shooting of 17-year-old Stanley Jimson, as well as injuries to four others, including 19-year-old Reymer Gonzales.
During the hearing, the defense called a single witness who testified that Rodick had contacted her via video chat and text message in early February 2025. While she said she knew nothing about the homicide and was uninvolved, the woman admitted feeling frightened by the detective’s texts, which warned her to “worry about herself and her children.” She said this was the last time Rodick contacted her.
Kansky and Scanlon argued that other witnesses have also felt intimidated by Rodick’s actions, although none testified during the hearing. This led to sharp objections from McMonagle, who insisted that a single, one-time contact with the witness does not amount to intimidation.
“Judge, the defense only produced one witness who admitted to one interaction with Detective Rodick in February, and even she said she was never contacted again,” McMonagle said. “This doesn’t support claims of intimidation.”
Scanlon countered, “There are clearly other witnesses who felt pressured. It’s our belief that this detective is attempting to coerce testimony that fits the prosecution’s narrative.”
Judge Vough did not issue an immediate ruling but said he would decide later whether to grant access to Rodick’s phone records.
Meanwhile, the trial against Andujar on charges including criminal homicide, conspiracy, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment has been postponed from June 20 to October 17. The delay comes as both Andujar and Gonzales face additional charges related to allegedly intimidating witnesses through jailhouse phone calls.
Interestingly, despite Gonzales being one of the shooting victims, court records indicate he and Andujar have since formed a friendship.
A preliminary hearing for the witness intimidation charges against Andujar and Gonzales is scheduled for June 12.
In a separate legal matter, Gonzales is also facing criminal homicide charges in connection with the April 14, 2023, fatal shooting of 18-year-old Rolando K. Cepeda near an auto repair garage on West 23rd Street in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania.
