Delaware County man convicted of murder found dead at Benner state prison
A Benner state prison inmate who was serving a life sentence for murder died by suicide Saturday, the Centre County coroner’s office said Tuesday.
James Dellavechia, 81, was found unresponsive in his cell about 1:40 p.m. Saturday and died about 2:55 p.m. at Mount Nittany Medical Center, the state Department of Corrections said.
Dellavechia was convicted of fatally shooting Scott Robins, 42, in an October 2011 noise dispute in Delaware County, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dellavechia was upset about noise from his neighbor’s construction project that disturbed his “slice of heaven,” according to the Inquirer. Robins had the necessary permits and was building his shed during approved hours.
Robins was shot multiple times, and his stepdaughter Kristen Snow was critically wounded. Dellavechia denied the shooting, saying he had no memory of the killing.
He had been at the prison since September 2013.
Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Center for Community Resources: 1-800-643-5432, or visit 2100 E. College Ave.