Oil City Man Facing Attempted Murder Charge Found Guilty on Weapon Charges

Scott Shindledecker

Scott Shindledecker

Published February 23, 2017 6:00 am
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FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City man facing attempted murder charges was recently found guilty of two weapons charges in Venango County.

According to court documents, Ruben Richard Craig, III, 37, of Oil City, was found guilty on Tuesday of two felony counts of possessing a semi-automatic hand gun and a shotgun.

Court documents indicate that Craig was convicted of aggravated assault and related charges in Erie County in 2004. Because of those felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

President Judge Oliver Lobaugh ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Craig, and a sentencing date has been scheduled for April 28.

District Attorney Shawn White, who prosecuted Craig on the weapons charge and is the prosecutor in the attempted murder case, said he would love to comment on the Ruben cases, but won’t because of the ongoing investigation.

“I would love to comment about Craig once the other case is complete, but I do not want to do anything to taint a future jury that may hear the pending case,” White said.

In the attempted murder case against Craig, White said a jury trial has yet to be scheduled. In that case, Craig is accused of stabbing Shawn Schillinger, of Oil City, on May 30, 2016. Schillinger died on January 12, 2017 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh.

In addition to the first degree felony charge of Criminal Attempt — Criminal Homicide, Craig is also facing the following charges:

– Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2

When asked about re-filing charges to include murder, White again said he could not comment on the case until it is complete.

Craig is still lodged in the Venango County jail on $250,000.00 bail, which was set on August 4, 2016, for the attempted murder case.

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