Kenny Pickett Car Theft Suspect to Undergo Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Evaluations

MONROEVILLE, Pa. — The court proceedings for Christopher Carter, the Murrysville man accused of stealing the car of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett last month, will be postponed five weeks while he undergoes mental health, drug and alcohol evaluations.

Carter appeared in front of magistrate Jeffrey Herbst in Monroeville on Monday morning. It was the third time his preliminary hearing had been scheduled. Carter did not show up to court for his first hearing, and asked for and received a continuance in order to procure representation at his second hearing. No lawyer appeared with Carter in court on Monday.

In addition to the mental health, drug and alcohol evaluations, deputy district attorney Melissa Byrnes said that Carter will owe $4,500 in restitution after the brief conference with Judge Herbst on Monday.

Carter faces charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, both third-class felonies, as well as misdemeanor unauthorized used of an automobile. In Pennsylvania, third-class felonies carry a maximum punishment of seven years and a fine of up to $15,000.

The car was allegedly stolen from Bowser Chevrolet on Wednesday, May 24, while Pickett was at the dealership recording a radio interview on 93.7 The Fan.

Security footage shows a man entering then dealership just after 1 p.m. and leaving the parking lot in Pickett’s Genesis SUV just before 3:30 p.m. Carter was first identified as a suspect when police ran the plates on his personal vehicle, which was left at the dealership. The car was later found in front of Carter’s home when Murrysville police responded to a domestic incident at that address.

The vehicle reportedly had Pickett’s Steelers playbook in the back of it when it was stolen. Both the vehicle and the playbook were recovered, with some minor damage reported to the vehicle. The Steelers and Pickett have not commented on the incident.

Carter is due back in court on July 31.