Charges in beating held over for court
MASONTOWN – During a third preliminary hearing, two men accused of beating a Connellsville man were held for court, ending a lengthy battle by police and prosecutors to have the charges heard by a jury. District Justice Brenda Calvacante ruled Monday that felony aggravated assault charges lodged against William J. Lizza, 62, of 201 Wood St., Connellsville, and Mark Hall, 42, of 107 Homestead Ave., Scottdale, would be heard in Fayette County court.
The two are charged with allegedly beating Ronald “Milo” Flynn at an East Fairview Avenue apartment on Aug. 25 that caused three skull fractures.
The first two preliminary hearings in the matter were held before District Justice Ronald Haggerty.
During the first hearing, Haggerty held that charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and disorderly conduct filed by the Connellsville Police Department should be held for court, while additional charges of aggravated assault and burglary were dismissed.
Fayette County Assistant District Attorney Mark Brooks refiled the felony aggravated assault charge with Haggerty’s office that was again dismissed during the second preliminary hearing.
In March, Brooks was granted a change of venue in the case following a hearing before Fayette County President Judge William J. Franks when he requested the charge again be refiled with another magistrate.
Brooks declined to comment on the outcome of Monday’s hearing.
According to testimony, Lizza and Hall went to Flynn’s residence after he allegedly threatened to do bodily harm to Lizza’s wife, Cindy Lizza.
Flynn was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital for injuries he received during the alleged altercation. Lizza and Hall remain free on separate recognizant bonds.