Bond reduced for suspect in crowbar beating case
After pleading at a bond-reduction hearing in Fayette County Court that he was acting in self-defense, a South Union Township man who beat an Adah woman with a crowbar in May has had his bond reduced. Fayette County Judge Steve P. Leskinen reduced the bond for Robert A. Karwatske II, 22, from $100,000 to $20,000 following a recent hearing.
Karwatske is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, possession and possession with intent to deliver drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia following the early morning assault on Thelma Louise Turner, 44, at his Crossland Avenue apartment.
At Karwatske’s preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. reduced the bond, originally set at $200,000, to $100,000.
Karwatske testified earlier this month that the assault on Turner was an act of self-defense.
Karwatske told Leskinen that he had money and went looking for sexual companionship early in the morning of May 13. He testified he saw Turner, and the two decided on how much a sexual encounter would cost, and then they went to his home said that Turner noticed that he had money on him at the time.
Karwatske said she hit him in the back of his head when they went into his bedroom.
Karwatske told District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon at the preliminary hearing May 25 that he didn’t realize how severely he had injured Turner until he saw her facial trauma.
Although Turner testified she went to his home to smoke marijuana, Karwatske testified that drugs were not part of the evening’s plans.
Turner said she did not initiate the attack and denied being involved in prostitution.
She said as they headed into Karwatske’s bedroom to “smoke a joint,” Karwatske attacked her. Turner testified she tried to get away, but was “sliding on the blood.”
Eventually, Turner was able to wrestle the crowbar from Karwatske and testified she hit him with it.
Karwatske said he has family in Fayette County, and has no connections to people outside the county.
Leskinen noted during the hearing that Karwatske made no effort to flee from the scene, waiting for police to arrive at his home after calling 911 but also mentioned the severity of Turner’s injuries.
Court officials could not confirm Thursday the details of the reduction, including the possibility of a percentage bond.