Two Sheraden men will stand trial for the shooting death and attempted robbery of a jitney driver in July.

Travis Hawkins, 19, and Douglas Stephenson, 20, both are charged with homicide in the death of James Williams.

Prosecutors said the case was solved by a frightened 19-year-old woman who came forward months after the shooting to describe what she saw.

The woman, now in the Police Bureau's witness protection program, testified at a preliminary hearing yesterday that the two suspects had been with a group of young adults hanging out July 7 in the 3000 block of Ashlyn Street in Sheraden.

Mr. Williams, 53, pulled up in his Jeep Cherokee, and, according to the witness, Mr. Hawkins announced to the crowd that he was going to rob the driver.

As members of the group doubted him, the two suspects ducked into an alley between houses from where Mr. Hawkins emerged with a handgun.

The witness said the gunman and the driver, who remained in the vehicle, struggled for control of the gun while Mr. Stephenson got into the vehicle from the passenger side and began beating Mr. Williams.

During the fight, the gun discharged and the two suspects fled, the witness testified.

Deputy District Attorney Mark V. Tranquilli said the case might not have been solved had the witness not come forward.

District Judge Richard Olasz ordered the men held for trial.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.