Indiana County President Judge William Martin has given District Attorney Pat Dougherty twenty-one days from yesterday’s date to explain why the court should reinstate the homicide case against Brady Distefano. Judge Martin dismissed the case on November 13th, ruling that there was not sufficient evidence to take it to trial. Last Wednesday, Dougherty filed notice of appeal with the Western District of State Superior Court.
DiStefano was charged with criminal homicide and aggravated assault in the strangulation death of his IUP fraternity brother, 20-year-old Caleb Zweig of Rockville, Maryland, on February 3rd. The district attorney had said he would seek a conviction for third degree murder, but DiStefano’s attorney challenged the validity of the evidence, prompting Judge Martin’s dismissal of the charges.
Dougherty has until December 18th to file what is called a “Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal”.
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