Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty may appeal a recent decision to dismiss charges against a former IUP student charged in the death of his fraternity brother in February.
According to the online docket sheet, Indiana County President Judge William Martin dismissed charges of criminal homicide and aggravated assault against Brady Distefano of Johnstown. The man, who was 19 at the time of the incident, was accused of strangling 20-year-old Caleb Zweig of Rockville, Maryland. The two were involved in a fight on February 3rd in the 800 block of Wayne Avenue. During the preliminary hearing, witnesses said that during the argument, Zweig landed on the ground on his back and DiStefano had his hands in the area of Zweig’s chest and neck. The charges had been bound for court in a hearing back in April, but District Attorney Pat Dougherty said a pre-trial motion was filed by DiStefano’s attorneys concerning the evidence that had been gathered. Judge Martin said that the district attorney’s office had not shown enough evidence to bring the charges to court.
Dougherty was pursuing a charge of third-degree murder in the case. He is currently looking at Judge Martin’s opinion and may make a decision on whether or not to appeal to the State Superior Court by next week.
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