Advertisement DA: East Liberty sister slayings will be a death penalty case Susan and Sarah Wolfe found dead at home on Chislett Street; Allen Wade charged with two counts of homicide Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Allegheny County district attorney has notified the court that prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty for an East Liberty man if he's found guilty of killing his female neighbors in East Liberty.Allen Wade, 43, is awaiting trial on homicide charges. Pittsburgh police say he is suspected of shooting Sarah and Susan Wolfe in February at the home that the Wolfe sisters shared on Chislett Street.VIDEO: DA seeks death penalty in sister slayingsIn an email, District Attorney Stephen Zappala's office says that the following circumstances exist to fulfill the criteria for a death penalty case:The victim was a prosecution witness to a murder or other felony committed by the defendant and was killed for the purpose of preventing her testimony against the defendant in any grand jury or criminal proceeding involving such offenses.The defendant committed the killing while in the perpetration of a felony.The defendant has a significant history of felony convictions involving the use or threat of violence to the person.The defendant has been convicted of another federal or state offense, committed either before or at the time of the offense at issue, for which a sentence of life imprisonment or death was imposable or the defendant was undergoing a sentence of life imprisonment for any reason at the time of the commission of the offense.The defendant has been convicted of another murder committed in any jurisdiction and committed either before or at the time of the offense at issue.Zappala contends that Sarah Wolfe was killed when she returned home to find Susan Wolfe killed on the night of Feb. 6, meaning Wade allegedly killed a murder witness. The bodies were found the next morning when the victims didn't show up for work.Police used DNA evidence found on clothing and surveillance video footage from area cameras to help make their case against Wade. They have yet to establish a clear motive for the killings.Wade has claimed innocence and said he's being framed for the murders of the Wolfes, although he hasn't said why he believes that.The Wolfes were the sisters of Democratic Iowa state Rep. Mary Wolfe.Defense attorney Blaine Jones, who represented Wade at a preliminary hearing last month, said he no longer represents Wade.Refresh this page later for updates. Get breaking news alerts from WTAE.com or download our app to stay connected.