May 6, 2006 By Jennifer Harr 4 min read

Catherine Hamborsky was led away in handcuffs on Friday after a Fayette County jury convicted her of third-degree murder in the death of Thomas Lesniak. Jurors arrived at the verdict after a total of three hours of deliberation over two days.

When the verdict was announced, Hamborsky, 41, put her hand to her head and then looked back at her husband, Richard. As jurors were asked individually if they agreed with the verdict, Hamborsky sat with her arms crossed and her head tilted to the side.

Hamborsky had claimed that Lesniak was trying to sexually assault her and she was forced to defend herself when she shot and stabbed him around 2 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2005. But prosecutors contended that Hamborsky, of Scottdale, went to JJ’s Bar in Upper Tyrone Township intent upon playing video poker.

When Lesniak denied her a tab to do so, Hamborsky became angry and attacked Lesniak, District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon suggested.

Lesniak died as a result of the strain that the loss of blood put on his heart, according to trial testimony.

Hamborsky returned to the bar with a gasoline can from her home and set the bar on fire. In two interviews with police, Hamborsky lied about her involvement in Lesniak’s death. She told police that she was forced to defend herself only after they confronted her with other evidence they had gathered.

Lesniak’s brother, Joe, a fixture at court appearances since Thomas’ death, wiped tears from his eyes outside the courtroom after the verdict was read.

“She took everything. Now, her hell starts today,” Lesniak said.

Joe Lesniak owned JJ’s Bar, and he said the establishment was his source of income. The bar was underinsured and Lesniak said he doesn’t have the money to reopen.

After his brother’s death, Lesniak said he and his family dealt with the pain of hearing allegations that Thomas was a rapist. He said he viewed the verdict as a vindication of his brother’s name.

Hamborsky’s attorney, Samuel Davis, said that he has a great respect for the jury’s verdict, but thought that the panel may have focused too much on what Hamborsky did after Lesniak was stabbed and shot.

“It’s unfortunate, but understandable,” he said.

Davis said he intends to seek a new trial on Hamborsky’s behalf, based in part on statements that she gave to police that believed should have been barred from trial.

“We are hopeful that justice will be served,” he said.

Vernon said she was satisfied with the third-degree murder conviction.

“I’m happy for this verdict for the family. It vindicates Thomas Lesniak as a rapist or a violent man. Now everyone knows he wasn’t trying to sexually assault someone that night,” Vernon said.

Judge Steve P. Leskinen granted Vernon’s motion to revoke Hamborsky’s $50,000 bond.

Davis asked that she remain free because there was no was not a threat of her fleeing before sentencing.

Leskinen said the standards for setting bond after a conviction and pending appeal are higher than a bond while awaiting trial. Leskinen told Davis that if he made a motion for bond, he would address it. Vernon said later she would oppose any bond request.

After Hamborsky was handcuffed, she removed her jewelry and gave it to her husband. She gave him a brief hug before constables took her to the county prison.

Leskinen said the standard rage for third degree murder starts at six years behind bars because Hamborsky has no prior criminal record. The maximum sentence for third-degree murder is 20 to 40 years.

Hamborsky was also convicted of two counts of arson and abuse of a corpse. Leskinen has the option of sentencing consecutively on the offenses.

Leskinen will hand down the sentence on May 18, when people from both sides will be able to give statements to the court asking for harsh punishment or leniency.