In a Pennsylvania courtroom, a shocking admission was made by a man on trial for the murder of his teenage girlfriend. Darion Abel, 27, confessed to a police officer that he had fired 17 bullets into his girlfriend. The victim, 19-year-old Miranda Grimm-Gilarski, lost her life in the tragic incident that took place in 2018.
Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Alexa Roberts detailed the horrific event, stating that Abel shot Grimm-Gilarski at close quarters until his firearm was empty. Roberts underscored the deliberate nature of the act, asserting that an individual does not fire 17 or 18 rounds at another person without the intention to kill.
The fatal shooting took place at Grimm-Gilarski’s residence in Munhall, a suburb of Pittsburgh, on November 17, 2018. Following the incident, Abel drove himself to the Munhall Police parking lot and surrendered to Officer Jason Poniewaz. When questioned about his reason for turning himself in, Abel chillingly replied, “Murder. I just shot my girlfriend 17 times.”
Abel was subsequently charged with homicide, burglary, and illegal possession of a 9 mm pistol. Grimm-Gilarski’s body was discovered on her living room floor, riddled with gunshot wounds. The investigation revealed several bullet holes in the floor beneath her body and bullets in the basement ductwork, indicating that Abel continued to shoot even after Grimm-Gilarski had collapsed.
Since his arrest, Abel has been detained without bail. His trial has been postponed nearly 20 times since 2019. The relationship between Abel and Grimm-Gilarski was reportedly fraught with violence, including several instances of assault. The most recent altercation took place just weeks before the fatal shooting, on October 30, 2018.
Abel’s defense attorney acknowledges that his client is responsible for Grimm-Gilarski’s death. However, he contends that Abel was driven to the edge by a court order he received on the day of the shooting. The defense is requesting the jury to consider a verdict of guilty but mentally ill.
The defense intends to call a psychiatrist who evaluated Abel in 2022 and again in April of the current year. The psychiatrist is anticipated to testify about Abel’s “diminished capacity” at the time of the shooting. The prosecution, in contrast, plans to call several witnesses, including Officer Poniewaz and Grimm-Gilarski’s stepsister, who was only 11 at the time of the fatal incident.