VERNON TOWNSHIP —
Harry Boyer Jr. claims he was forced to take part in the robberies of three Crawford County taverns this summer — following orders by his co-defendant, Michael Duane Ferguson.
“He said ‘Do it or else,’ ” Boyer, 45, testified Thursday morning during a more than 90-minute at a preliminary hearing for Ferguson, 37, before Magisterial District judge Michael Rossi.
Boyer and Ferguson were arrested Aug. 16 by Pennsylvania State Police and charged in connection with the early morning armed robberies of three area taverns — The Owl’s Nest near Saegertown on July 22; Nate’s Bar and Grill in Greenwood Township July 22; and the Double D Bar in Venango on July 30.
Boyer testified Ferguson went to Boyer’s home the night of July 21 demanding a ride to Saegertown in order to rob a bar. It was one of three times that Ferguson demanded rides in order to commit robberies, Boyer testified.
“He said he’d hurt me or my family if I didn’t give him a ride,” Boyer testified.
Boyer and Ferguson are neighbors, with Boyer residing at 9588 Kennedy Hill Road in Vernon Township and Ferguson at 9662 Kennedy Hill Road. Boyer testified Ferguson rents a mobile home from Boyer.
State police allege Boyer drove Ferguson to and from all three taverns to commit the robberies while Ferguson allegedly entered all three taverns, demanded money and fired a sawed-off shotgun.
Ferguson is charged by Pennsylvania State Police with robbery, criminal conspiracy, attempted theft, theft by unlawful taking, terroristic threats, person not to possess firearm, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault. Boyer is charged by state police with conspiracy, robbery, attempted theft and theft by unlawful taking.
Ferguson attended Thursday’s hearing but did not testify in his own defense.
Boyer testified that in each instance Ferguson was carrying a bag with him, but also that he never saw a weapon any of the three times.
Boyer said that during the robberies he had parked away from each of the taverns.
Boyer also testified that at the robberies of Nate’s and Double D’s, Boyer went in those bars to determine how many people were inside and then went back to the vehicle to tell Ferguson.
Questioned under cross-examination by Bruce Barrett, an assistant public defender who is Ferguson’s attorney, about why Boyer didn’t contact police either during the robberies or afterward or just drive away without Ferguson, Boyer said he was afraid.
“He’s threatened me before when I wanted to evict him because he owes me money,” said Boyer. “I couldn’t take that chance for me or my kids.”
Several of the tavern workers also testified at Thursday’s hearing, describing how an armed, masked man came into the tavern demanding money and fired a gun.
One of the workers at Nate’s, Kelly Ann Bowman, said there was a video tape of the robbery at that tavern and that the tape had been turned over to police.
Ferguson was ordered by Rossi to stand trial in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas following the hearing.
Boyer waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the charges he faces and also is scheduled to stand trial in county court.
Both men are expected to go to trial during the January criminal trial term of county court.
Both men remain in the Crawford County jail in Saegertown in lieu of bond. Ferguson is being held in lieu of $70,000 bond, and Boyer is being held in lieu of $60,000 bond.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
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