Victim's brother accused of charging defendant before plea in deadly Monroeville Mall shooting

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A court hearing turned into a brawl inside the Allegheny County Courthouse.  

On Monday, Lawrence Murphy was in court to make a plea and be sentenced for the shooting death of 20-year-old Saheed Gayle outside the Monroeville Mall in 2020. Just before the hearing started, Gayle's twin brother, Samai Gayle, went after the defendant.  

According to Murphy's attorney Casey White, Samai Gayle sprinted toward his client but was stopped by law enforcement. Samai Gayle is now facing charges.  

"As soon as he walked through the door, he saw my client and took a beeline right towards him, sprinted after him, and attempted to attack him," White said.  

Allegheny County Sheriff's deputies and other officers stop Samai Gayle from getting to Murphy. White said the struggle lasted about 30 seconds, furniture was knocked over and some blood was spilled.  

"It was a freighting situation, chaotic melee for lack of a better term," White said.  

After getting Gayle out of the courtroom, Judge Evashavik DiLucente restored order in about five minutes.  

"It's a sad situation. It's traumatic for him with him losing his twin brother, but there are rules in the courthouse," White said.  

The plea and sentencing then went on as scheduled. White said there was tension between the family of the victim and the defendant. The judge sentenced his client to 15 to 30 years after taking the plea deal.  

"A poor decision for him that he made that day. He will come out a young man still," White said. 

As for Samai Gayle, the sheriff's office said he was processed and released. He faces summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.