Assault hearing continued
A preliminary hearing for a Uniontown man accused of beating his pregnant girlfriend earlier this year was continued so prosecutors can secure a medical expert to testify regarding the alleged assault on the unborn child. State police said Sean Warren Middleton, 28, was charged in July with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment for the alleged beating of Jazall Talton of Brownsville.
Police added an additional charge Monday of aggravated assault against an unborn child.
During proceedings Monday before Magisterial District Judge Michael Defino Jr., Talton refused to testify against Middleton, forcing prosecutors to request a continuance in the case.
Talton, 21, of Brownsville, was in her eighth month of pregnancy with Middleton’s child at the time of the alleged assault, police said.
During the assault, police said Middleton repeatedly kicked Talton in the face and neck and also punched her multiple times.
She was treated for her injuries at UPMC-Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh.
This is not Middleton’s first run-in with police.
Middleton was accused of trying to run over a state police trooper in May.
He was charged aggravated assault, escape, fleeing or eluding police, false identification and citations for reckless driving and driving with a suspended license, police said.
Middleton waived those charges to Fayette County Court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr.
Middleton remains in the Fayette County Prison on $25,000 straight cash bond.