Judge dismisses arson charges against Uniontown man
A Fayette County judge dismissed arson charges filed against a Uniontown man after prosecutors presented their case against him during the June term of criminal court week. Judge Gerald R. Solomon granted the dismissal of charges lodged against John Eric Shumar, 43, of Uniontown.
Shumar had been charged with arson for setting fire to a garage in Uniontown on May 6, 2007.
Police alleged that he set fire to a Stewart Avenue garage owned by Fayette Furnace, and is across the street from Shumar’s home, police said.
Police said that following investigation, Shumar allegedly admitted to pouring gasoline onto some brush outside of the garage and lighting it on fire. Shumar said he then pulled the burning debris apart with a rake and threw some of the debris into the building, Gmitter said.
According to the complaint, Shumar said he then finished cutting the grass and didn’t notice the building was on fire until he walked back around the corner.
In another case, a 26-year-old Donora man was acquitted of aggravated assault for allegedly hitting a Republic man in the head with a handgun during a fight at the Village of Searights in Menallen Township on Dec. 27, 2006.
Jurors convicted Brian Edward Lyon II of simple assault, reckless endangerment, false identification to law enforcement, harassment and disorderly conduct. A second count of simple assault was withdrawn.
The case was heard before Judge John F. Wagner Jr., who set sentencing for June 27.
Other cases resolved this week were:
– Matthew Fabian, 32, of Uniontown was convicted of resisting arrest, while charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, attempted criminal trespass and criminal mischief were withdrawn.
The charges related to a June 25, 2007, incident at a Reppert Street home in Uniontown.
Wagner will sentence Fabian on June 11.
– Thomas Darrell, 31, of Dunbar was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and possession with the intent to deliver drugs related to a Feb. 13, 2007, incident in Dunbar.
Judge Steve P. Leskinen will sentence Darrell at a later date.
– Jared J. Crable, 27, of Connellsville was acquitted of loitering and prowling at night, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness related to an April 13, 2007, incident in Connellsville.
– Danita Nicole Michaux, 32, no address listed, was convicted of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment relating to a June 7, 2007, incident in Brownsville.
Jurors acquitted Michaux of criminal trespass and charges of burglary and reckless endangering were withdrawn.
Wagner will sentence her on June 27.
– Kenneth Cummings, 67, of Connellsville was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and possession with the intent to deliver drugs relating to a March 25, 2007, incident in Connellsville.
Wagner will sentence him on June 27.
– Donald J. Horvath, 22, of West Leisenring was acquitted of driving under the influence of alcohol. The charge was filed by police following an alleged incident on May 20, 2007.
Leskinen presided over the case.
– Gil D. Avellanet, 29, of Connellsville was convicted of two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession with the intent to deliver drugs and one count of driving with a suspended or revoked license. The charges related to an Aug. 31, 2007, incident in Connellsville.
President Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi will sentence him on June 18.
– Frankie Padilla Jr., 34, of Labelle was convicted of aggravated assault and simple assault for an assault at the State Correctional Institution at Fayette in Luzerne Township. The assault occurred on March 10, 2007.
Leskinen will sentence Padilla at a later date.