Morales Trial: The Texts, and a Plea

Matthew Morales, 33, of Tobyhanna Township, is on trial for the May 24, 2024, shooting death of Henry Koroma Jr. at My Place Bar and Grill in Middle Smithfield Township. He is charged with criminal homicide and two felony firearms counts, and his attorney says he acted in self-defense.

In court, jurors saw what was on Koroma's phone. Detective Sgt. Brian Webbe of the DA's office testified Sept. 25 about texts between the two men in the days before the shooting, including talk of a "59," which an earlier witness described as a 59-second fight. The phone also showed a same-day web search: "How Best to Fight Fat Guy."

Then the co-defendant folded. Raymond Batiste, 40, of Allentown, pleaded guilty Monday (Sept. 28) to a misdemeanor count of obstruction of justice, the Pocono Record reports. He had been on trial alongside Morales on two felony counts of hindering apprehension. That news hit the wire after our Tuesday edition went out, which is why yesterday's Buzz still had him facing the felonies. No verdict for Morales had been reported as of Tuesday evening. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.