Davere Andre McClain shields his face as he is led from the Lycoming County Courthouse following a preliminary hearing. McClain is charged with the Oct. 2023 shooting death of 19-year-old Kevin Cagle. MATTHEW COURTER/Sun-Gazette

The alleged killer in the October 2023 shooting death of 19-year-old city resident Kevin Cagle will face trial on several charges related to the case, including criminal homicide, District Judge Aaron Biichle ruled, following a preliminary hearing Friday morning.

Davere Andre McClain, 52, of 642 Fifth Ave., Williamsport, who was taken into custody April 9, also faces two counts of aggravated assault and one count each of simple assault, terroristic threats, abuse of a corpse, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, unlawful restraint, false Imprisonment, possession of an instrument of crime and illegal possession of a firearm.

Police believe Cagle was murdered on or about Oct. 11, 2023 at McClain’s residence.

An autopsy determined Cagle died of multiple gunshot wounds, including two to his arms and one to the chest, state trooper Brian Watkins testified at the hearing.

Cagle’s body was found on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, wrapped in several garbage bags on a grassy slope along Mexico Road in East Chillisquaque Township in Northumberland County.

25-year-old Rahsaan Goines, recently charged in connection with the case, testified that he had assisted McClain in dumping Cagle’s body from an Interstate 80 bridge above where he was found.

Cagle was last seen alive that night about 6:15 p.m. near Park and Stark lanes — in the area of the 600 block of Fourth, according to surveillance video investigators obtained from residents, according to an affidavit.

Goines testified that he was acquainted with McClain prior to moving into the residence with his girlfriend in October 2023. His mother, Chata Harris, 49, also charged in the case, was dating McClain at the time, though Goines stated that he never got along with McClain.

Goines and Harris have each been charged with abuse of a corpse, felony hindering apprehension or concealing evidence, possession of an instrument of crime and tampering with evidence. Harris faces an additional charge of obstructing the administration of law, while Goines has one added charge of unlawful restraint.

“I don’t condone him as a stepfather or a father figure,” Goines said of McClain during the hearing.

Though he denied being friends with Cagle, Goines stated that the two had previously smoked marijuana together and had exchanged numbers, at times sending each other pictures of themselves while using the drug.

Cagle had visited the Fifth Street address on three separate occasions, Goines testified, stating that prior to his last visit, McClain had told him that Cagle was coming over, but this time, he “wouldn’t be leaving out.”

On the night of the murder, Goines and Cagle were initially smoking marijuana downstairs before allegedly being instructed by McClain to go upstairs to an unused third bedroom, at which point Goines knew something was amiss, he testified.

Once upstairs, McClain left the room, after which Goines said he heard the cocking of a gun shortly before McClain re-entered the room, allegedly pointed what he described as an AR-style rifle at Cagle and told him he was going to die. Cagle was then ordered into the bathroom, where there was water running in the tub, Goines testified.

McClain then shot Cagle twice in the arm and once in the chest before proceeding to stab him in the neck, Goines said.

McClain allegedly insisted that Goines be the one to stab Cagle, but he refused, Goines testified.

Following the first shot, Cagle let out a scream, Goines testified, and a nextdoor neighbor could be heard yelling, “what the “expletive” was that.

At least “six residents (of the neighborhood) confirmed they heard gunshots during the afternoon/evening hours on Oct. 11. It is important to note that all the gunshots were heard in the general vicinity where the victim was last observed,” the affidavit stated.

McClain then moved Cagle’s body back to the bedroom, where he wrapped it in two blankets before ultimately moving it to the basement of the home.

McClain then allegedly phoned Harris and asked her to bring home bleach, Goines testified.

A day or two later, McClain told Goines he was going to help him dispose of Cagle’s body, giving him black clothing and a black ski mask to wear.

The two then put Cagle into the trunk of a white vehicle and drove to where Cagle was discovered.

At some point while disposing of Cagle’s body, Goines’ ski mask fell off of his head. It was later discovered by police investigating the scene, Watkins testified.

“We’re going to Hell. If they come for me, they’re coming for you,” McClain allegedly said to Goines after returning to the vehicle, according to court testimony.

McClain then allegedly got rid of the clothing worn that night and instructed Goines not to speak of the crime to anyone.

Cagle’s clothing was put into his backpack and discarded in a blue garbage bin behind the Fifth Street house, Goines said, though he is unaware of what happened to his cell phone.

The alleged motive for the murder was McClain’s belief that Cagle was a “rat,” Goines testified without giving specifics, other than to say that McClain believed Cagle knew the identity of the perpetrator that had robbed Goines previously.

“According to the roommate, Cagle was going to testify against someone who is associated with McClain,” the affidavit of probable cause said.

While executing a search warrant at McClain’s house, troopers “located a bullet hole inside the tub and (bathroom) wall,” police said.

While under cross examination by Deputy Public Defender Matthew Welickovitch, Goines admitted that he would not have spoken to police willingly, telling the defense attorney that he was “scared.”

Though the vehicle used to transport Cagle’s body was not registered to McClain, police have surveillance video from multiple sources from the days surrounding the murder and disposal of Cagle’s body clearly identifying Cagle, McClain and Goines, Watkins testified.

At this point, neither the firearm or knife used to allegedly commit the crime have been recovered, he said.

No trial date has been set in the matter, and McClain remains incarcerated at the Lycoming County Prison.