Easton woman charged in deadly Chestnuthill shooting

An Easton woman has been charged with homicide in connection with a deadly shooting late Wednesday night at a Chestnuthill Township residence.

Deani Adayja Powell, who turns 20 on Saturday, faces one count criminal homicide and two counts each of aggravated assault and robbery.

The shooting, which took place around 10:30 p.m. at the home on Silver Maple Road, left 22-year-old Dylan Beinert dead and two others, Khalil Durante and his father Walter Durante, critically injured.

According an affidavit of probable cause filed by state police at Fern Ridge, Powell set up a deal to buy marijuana from Beinert and had plotted with two black males, known as “Flex” and “Pop,” to rob him.

Powell met Flex and Pop at the residence and while inside, the two men and a third unknown man ran in with guns, while Powell went out to her vehicle. A witness, told police a struggle ensued between one of the men, Beinert, and Khalil Durante which ended with two gunshots fired.

Durante fell to the ground coughing up blood, while Beinert was unresponsive, the witness added. The gunman instructed the witness and both Durantes to lay face down on the kitchen floor. The gunman returned to the bedroom, taking the witness’ car keys, cellphone, and a box containing jars of marijuana.

After getting everyone outside the house, police said, one of the gunmen told Khalil Durante to “say your prayers,” and then shot him while he was praying. Walter Durante screamed, according to the witness, and was also shot by the gunman. The gunmen then fled in two vehicles that were waiting along Silver Maple Road.

State police said Powell is being charged as a principal and accomplice in the shooting.

Powell was arraigned Thursday night by Magisterial District Judge Colleen Mancuso and committed to Monroe County Prison without bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.