In-Person CLE – Capital Criminal Law Symposium

This comprehensive six-credit CLE program offers an in-depth look at capital criminal cases, featuring essential updates, legal strategies and ethical considerations. Learn from experienced practitioners as they share practical insights and guidance.

Topics to be covered include:

• New law applicable to death penalty cases
• Perspective from the prosecution
• Post-conviction cases in a capital setting
• A case review of the Wilkinsburg Massacre
• Victim impact statements
• Ethics concerning capital cases

This symposium qualifies for Rule 801 credit in Pennsylvania and is essential for attorneys involved in capital litigation. Registration table opens at 8 a.m. A continental breakfast and pizza lunch will be provided.

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Updating the Chaos
(1 Substantive Credit)
The Hon. Edward Borkowski will be “Updating the Chaos” with an extensive discussion concerning new law applicable to death penalty cases. Judge Borkowski intertwines the lecture with his dry humor, brilliant insight and outstanding intellectual approach. This is a must for any person that is handling death penalty cases. Moreover, the entertainment value and information will also be reason for the average criminal law practitioner to attend.

9:40 – 10:40 a.m.
A View from the Prosecution
(1 Substantive Credit)
Deputy District Attorneys Ryan Kiray and Emma Schoedel from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office will discuss the prosecution’s perspective on the law concerning capital cases. Both attorneys are highly respected prosecutors who run the Homicide Unit, which has and continues to be recognized in Pennsylvania as the most ethical prosecution office dealing with death penalty cases. In handling capital cases and/or homicide cases, the audience will obtain knowledge about how to obtain better results from the District Attorney.

10:50 – 11:50 a.m.
Post Conviction Proceedings in a Capital Setting
(1 Substantive Credit)
Attorney Robert Perkins will be giving his personal insight and knowledge about how to handle post-conviction cases in a capital setting. Most attorneys have difficulty dealing with post-conviction cases in a serious criminal case. When the defendant has already been found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, the stakes in a post-conviction proceeding are multiplied. Attorney Perkins will educate the audience about what is needed to investigate a post-conviction case, what are the requirements of review, what experts need to be considered, what special thoughts are mandatory to address both the trial and sentencing issues and many other considerations. Although the program is designed toward post-conviction counsel, the discussion of the issues will help teach trial lawyers how to proceed in a complex case.

11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Case Review: The Wilkinsburg Massacre
(1 Substantive Credit)
On March 9, 2016, six people were killed and three others injured in a mass shooting at a house in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Cheron Shelton and Robert Thomas were charged with the massacre, and the Commonwealth sought the death penalty. Attorney Randall McKinney represented Cheron Shelton at trial. Attorney McKinney will talk about the trial and actions by counsel that led to the jury finding Shelton not guilty of all charges. The information and knowledge that can be taken from this case is extensive. Counsel’s brilliant strategy and outstanding tactics will be enlightening to any trial attorney.

1:40 – 2:40 p.m.
Victims’ Influence and Power: Impact Statements
(1 Substantive Credit)
Presented by Attorney Thomas N. Farrell, this session will discuss the law concerning victim impact statements and the victim’s influence within capital cases. There will be a review of the distinctions between the law of non-capital cases and death penalty cases. The statutes requiring victim impact and victim rights will be discussed. The session will help practitioners concerning non-capital as well as capital cases.

2:50 – 3:50 p.m.
Ethics Concerning Capital Cases
(1 Ethics Credit)
Attorney Wendy Williams will discuss the various ethical concerns in a capital case. The program will consider the education and experience requirements of Rule 801. Moreover, there will be specific points concerning the defense of a client in a capital case. The prosecutor’s obligations will also be touched upon.

Speakers:

• Hon. Edward J. Borkowski
  Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Division
• Ryan Kiray
  Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
• Emma Schoedel
  Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
• Robert Perkins
  Allegheny Lawyers Initiative for Justice
• Randall McKinney
  Law Office of Randall H. McKinney
• Thomas N. Farrell
  Farrell Weaver & Okun
• Wendy Williams
  Wendy L. Williams & Associates

*This program is only being offered live in-person at the Koppers Building.

*This program has been approved for 5 hours of Substantive CLE Credit and 1 hour of Ethics CLE Credit and also qualifies for 6 hours of Credit under the West Virginia Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

**Most CLE programs may be submitted for Ohio CLE credit upon request for an additional $25 fee. For more information or to request Ohio credit, please email hbedford@acba.org.

Last day to Pre-register: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Register by mail: Print and return the hard copy registration form available here.

*Please note: The Pa. CLE Board can take up to 45 days to post credits.

CLE and Events Registration Policy: Members and Non-members can register for ACBA programs online or by paper mail-in registration, up to two days prior to a program start date. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. To secure your spot, payment must be made in advance due to limited registration capacity. You can do so online via credit card or by mailing in a check. If this ACBA CLE cannot be held in-person, it will be converted into a webinar and held on the same date and time. You will be notified via email if that change is made.

Printed materials are available for an additional fee upon request.

Interested in this program but have a conflict and can’t attend? The vast majority of our webinar CLEs programs are recorded and available for CLE credit online within 72 hours. Click here to see all available ACBA online CLEs.