Man accused of killing Shawn Giles freed from house arrest with new trial date set

Erie, Pa ( WJET/WFXP ) — The man accused of killing Shawn Giles last year has been freed from house arrest, and a new trial date has been set.

That’s according to court documents, which show that after a bond hearing Thursday, the bail conditions for 42-year-old Dawann Simmons were modified to eliminate the electronic monitor. A trial for the case had begun on September 9, but the jury selection was halted after the judge ruled to continue the case. The court set a new trial date on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m.

42-year-old Dawann Simmons is facing multiple charges, including homicide by vehicle and accidents involving death or injury while not licensed after allegedly hitting firefighter Shawn Giles with his car.

On July 9, 2024, the district attorney’s office said that the DUI-related charges were dropped after reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case.

In August 2023, Giles was at the scene of another crash on Route 20 directing traffic when investigators said Simmons approached the scene at a high rate of speed and hit Giles.

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