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A New Florence man acquitted in the 2015 killing of a Westmoreland County police officer has been found guilty of multiple charges stemming from an incident involving assaulting a police officer. Ray Shetler Jr. was found guilty Friday of one count of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disarming a police officer. He was found not guilty of one count of aggravated assault. Shetler’s defense attorney declined to comment after the verdict was read. Shetler said to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, “Life’s tough,” as he was taken back to jail. Throughout the trial, the jury heard from multiple law enforcement officers with the Pennsylvania State Police and Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office. We also heard from Shetler himself as to what he said on Dec. 7, 2021. Assistant District Attorney Leo Ciaramitaro said he was happy with the verdict.”This was a dangerous situation. The defendant had put the lives of our law enforcement officers at risk. They handled that professionally and clearly, the jury determined that,” he said.Shetler’s testimony and the officers’ testimony were completely different. Officers said Shetler did not comply and headbutted Deputy Irvin Shipley, while Shetler said he never fought back and did not hit Shipley.During closing arguments, the defense said there were discrepancies with what each law enforcement officer said about the night Shetler was arrested. One remembered having a handcuff on Shetler, while others didn’t.Michael Garofalo, who is representing Shetler, said, “It turned into an eye for an eye, quite literally.”The prosecution said that each officer was focused on a different aspect of the fight that ensued and that it was total chaos. “The only person responsible for the injuries you saw was the defendant,” Assistant District Attorney Leo Ciaramitaro said. Shetler was previously acquitted of killing St. Clair township officer Lloyd Reed in 2015. He was found guilty of two theft charges for stealing a vehicle after he left the shooting scene. A warrant was issued for Shetler on Dec. 3, 2021, when he failed to appear in court. On Dec. 7, after multiple searches, officers found Shetler hiding behind a futon and under blankets in a trailer in New Florence. That is when the police said chaos started.Sentencing will happen within 90 days.
A New Florence man acquitted in the 2015 killing of a Westmoreland County police officer has been found guilty of multiple charges stemming from an incident involving assaulting a police officer.
Ray Shetler Jr. was found guilty Friday of one count of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disarming a police officer. He was found not guilty of one count of aggravated assault.
Shetler’s defense attorney declined to comment after the verdict was read. Shetler said to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, “Life’s tough,” as he was taken back to jail.
Throughout the trial, the jury heard from multiple law enforcement officers with the Pennsylvania State Police and Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office. We also heard from Shetler himself as to what he said on Dec. 7, 2021.
Assistant District Attorney Leo Ciaramitaro said he was happy with the verdict.
“This was a dangerous situation. The defendant had put the lives of our law enforcement officers at risk. They handled that professionally and clearly, the jury determined that,” he said.
Shetler’s testimony and the officers’ testimony were completely different. Officers said Shetler did not comply and headbutted Deputy Irvin Shipley, while Shetler said he never fought back and did not hit Shipley.
During closing arguments, the defense said there were discrepancies with what each law enforcement officer said about the night Shetler was arrested. One remembered having a handcuff on Shetler, while others didn’t.
Michael Garofalo, who is representing Shetler, said, “It turned into an eye for an eye, quite literally.”
The prosecution said that each officer was focused on a different aspect of the fight that ensued and that it was total chaos.
“The only person responsible for the injuries you saw was the defendant,” Assistant District Attorney Leo Ciaramitaro said.
Shetler was previously acquitted of killing St. Clair township officer Lloyd Reed in 2015. He was found guilty of two theft charges for stealing a vehicle after he left the shooting scene.
A warrant was issued for Shetler on Dec. 3, 2021, when he failed to appear in court. On Dec. 7, after multiple searches, officers found Shetler hiding behind a futon and under blankets in a trailer in New Florence. That is when the police said chaos started.
Sentencing will happen within 90 days.
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