Fifteen-year-old Stephen Snyder of Chester, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed on January 7, 1975, while working as an attendant during a robbery at a Chester gas station. Two men, Bobby Brightwell and Jesse Faust, were later charged with murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, and robbery in connection with the killing.

A preliminary hearing was held on February 14, 1975. Trials were scheduled for Brightwell on June 16, 1975, and for Faust on June 30, 1975, but the proceedings were delayed. In January 1976 the charges were dismissed after the Commonwealth’s principal witness refused to cooperate; the charges were later reinstated in May 1976, but the prosecution ultimately could not proceed and the charges were dismissed.

The case illustrates how witness cooperation and repeated delays can prevent a homicide prosecution from moving forward. Does anyone have memories of Stephen or information about the case that could shed light on what happened in 1975–76?