Criminal Trial Scheduled for Alleged Malvern Shooter

A criminal trial date has been set for Merritt Dudas, the Collegeville man who allegedly killed 21-year-old Drew Ferguson in November.

According to Chester County court documents, Dudas’s trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Jan 21. Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft will hear the case.

Documents also state that a pre-trial conference is scheduled for February 19. It is unclear at this time if this means the trail will not start on Tuesday as scheduled.

Dudas is charged seven felonies, including criminal homicide, third-degree murder and receiving stolen property. He also faces a number of misdemeanor chargers, including abuse of a corpse.

Chester County Detectives say 21-year-old Ferguson was found dead the week before Thanksgiving, wrapped in a sleeping bag and buried under a a makeshift couch in a detached garage at the Malvern home he shared with his grandparents.

Read more about the shooting here:

• Homicide Reported in Malvern
• Malvern Death Not Random Killing, says Chesco DA
• Police Make Arrest in Malvern Shooting
• Arrested Man was a Friend
• Malvern Slaying: Alleged Shooter and Victim Exchanged Threats
• Hearing Continued in Malvern Shooting
• Alleged Malvern Shooter Faces Judge in Devon