Metallica Rose Harrison, 27, of Towanda, waived her preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as prosecutors sought to amend three details in the original affidavit of probable cause concerning the Monday, Oct. 12, killings of her husband, Charles "Chaz" Harrison, 36, and their son, Tristan, at the resort in Scotrun, Monroe County.
The developments involve the severity of the child's injuries, Harrison's exact words to investigators, the identification of a detective, and the next step in her criminal case.
1. Child's Injuries Were More Extensive
The original affidavit described Tristan as having an apparent stab wound to the chest.
Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso sought to correct that description to state that the child suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, according to an Oct. 20 letter obtained by Daily Voice on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The amendment also specifies that Charles Harrison suffered a stab wound to the chest.
2. "I'm Suicidal, I'm Not An Idiot"
The original affidavit quoted Harrison as telling an investigator she was "suicidal, not stupid" when she declined to answer questions following the killings.
Prosecutors sought to correct her statement to:
"I'm suicidal, I'm not an idiot."
The revised wording also specifies that Harrison was unwilling to speak with the investigator.
But does that statement mean Harrison cannot claim insanity?
Not necessarily.
Under Pennsylvania law, 18 Pa.C.S. § 315, a defendant may raise an insanity defense by proving that, because of a mental disease, they did not understand the nature of their actions or did not know those actions were wrong at the time of the offense.
The defendant must establish legal insanity by a preponderance of the evidence.
Harrison's statement was reportedly made after the killings, during questioning at a hospital. While it could become evidence concerning her mental state, it does not automatically establish whether she understood her actions or their wrongfulness when the killings occurred.
Pennsylvania also recognizes a separate "guilty but mentally ill" verdict or plea under 18 Pa.C.S. § 314.
The court documents obtained by Daily Voice do not indicate whether Harrison's defense intends to pursue an insanity defense or a mental-illness-related plea.
3. Detective's Role Clarified
The third proposed amendment identifies Detective Aaron Anglemyer as a co-affiant in the investigation.
Mancuso's letter states that Anglemyer has served with the Pocono Township Police Department since 2008 and was promoted to detective in 2024.
The district attorney requested that the amended statements be sworn to by investigators and included in the court record.
4. Preliminary Hearing Waived, Arraignment Set
Harrison waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice.
The waiver allows the case to proceed to Monroe County Court of Common Pleas without prosecutors first presenting evidence at a preliminary hearing.
It does not mean Harrison pleaded guilty or admitted to the killings.
Harrison signed the waiver with her attorney, Jason Allen Labar, and Magisterial District Judge Daniel Kresge approved it.
Her formal arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg.
Harrison faces two counts of criminal homicide.
Daily Voice previously obtained the criminal complaint and affidavit detailing the 911 call, surveillance footage, and evidence recovered from the family's resort room. Read the original report here.
A subsequent Daily Voice report detailed the family's use of retirement savings to fund their extended vacation, concerns raised by Harrison's stepmother, and a funeral fundraiser established by Charles' sister in New York. Click here to read that report.
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