CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — A Cumberland County woman has been sentenced to up to sixty years in prison for her role in a fatal shooting.
Breanna Black, 34, entered guilty pleas to criminal homicide- murder of the third degree and persons not to possess a firearm in front of the Honorable Jessica E. Brewbaker, according to the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office.
Black was immediately sentenced to 30-60 years in a state correctional institution. The sentence represents the statutory maximum for both charges consecutive to one another.
The convictions stem from the April 9 shooting death of 48-year-old Beth Schwartz. Black shot Schwartz one time in the chest.
Schwartz was able to call 911 when she told dispatchers that she had been shot by "Bree" and was dying. She was initially taken to Chambersburg Hospital and then York Hospital where, despite life-saving measures, Schwartz succumbed to her injuries hours after the shooting.
During the sentencing proceedings, members of Beth’s family spoke about how vibrant she was in life and the profound impact her death has caused their family. They described her as the “fun aunt” who was full of life.
They noted Beth was a fighter who, even in her last moments, helped achieve justice for herself by calling 911 and giving emergency and law enforcement personnel vital information about the shooting.
The plea and sentencing proceedings took place on Beth’s birthday. In her statement to Judge Brewbaker, Beth’s sister noted that the justice achieved today was a birthday gift for Beth.
The shooting is believed to be over drugs, according to a witness and Black's affidavit of probable cause. The witness told police that Schwartz often provided pills to Black, and the two may have been arguing over a supply of pills Schwartz allegedly owed her, according to police.
After arguing with Schwartz over the phone, the witness told police, Black allegedly took a firearm belonging to the witness, left her residence, and went to the 100 block of S. Prince Street to confront Schwartz.
The witness told police she then heard a gunshot.
When Black returned, she allegedly told the witness she had shot Schwartz and put the handgun on a desk. The witness reported she then heard Black call a relative, admit to the shooting, and say "I don't know what I'm gonna do; I'm going to jail," police said in the criminal complaint affidavit.
