Youngwood teen receives probation for 2014 stabbing

A Youngwood teen who police said stabbed a man multiple times outside his father's home was placed on probation Wednesday following a hearing before a senior visiting judge in Westmoreland County.

Earl S. Keim IV was 17 when police said he intervened during an altercation between his father, Earl S. Keim III, and Justin Kalich outside the home at 1:50 a.m. Dec. 10, 2014.

Keim IV testified during an earlier court hearing that he believed he was protecting his father when he stabbed Kalich. On Wednesday, he said he is remorseful.

“I understand my actions had very dire consequences,” Keim testified. “I'm very sorry.”

Keim IV is the grandson of former Westmoreland County Register of Wills Earl Keim II and great-grandson of the late Common Pleas Court Judge Earl Keim Sr.

The state Attorney General's Office prosecuted the case at the request of District Attorney John Peck, who wanted to avoid a potential conflict of interest because he is friends with Keim II and knew the late judge.

Keim IV initially was charged as an adult with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment. Visiting Senior Judge Daniel Howsare of Bedford County later ordered the case transferred to juvenile court and recently adjudicated Keim delinquent on the assault charges.

Upon the recommendation of Keim IV's juvenile probation officer, Howsare on Wednesday ordered the unspecified term of probation. The probationary term can extend only until Keim IV is 21. Howsare said he will consider terminating it sooner should Keim IV continue to comply with court orders and avoid trouble with the law.

Kalich, who was stabbed three times in the torso and upper chest, testified Wednesday that he has not yet fully recovered. He said he is in treatment for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.

“I was cut open from my pubic bone to my sternum, with an additional stab wound on the left side of my chest and another on my lower right side of my body,” said Kalich, 34. “I have to look at these scars every day for the rest of my life.”

Regardless, Kalich said he is in agreement with the terms of probation and is optimistic Keim IV will benefit from continued supervision.

“I have no grudge against the Keims, and I hope we can all get through this and continue our lives,” Kalich said, noting the two families live close to one another. “I hope Mr. Keim gets the treatment he needs to be a productive citizen.”

Terms of Keim IV's probation allow for him to be released from electronic monitoring — a condition imposed in September — but he is to report regularly to his probation officer. He is to undergo random drug and alcohol screenings, abide by a curfew and perform 28 hours of community service, among other conditions.

At the request of Prosecutor Patrick Schulte, Howsare dismissed a separate case in which Keim was accused of marijuana possession.

Howsare said Keim poses little threat to the community, considering the circumstances of the stabbing. Keim did not initiate the confrontation, Howsare said, but he “used poor judgment when he got involved.”

Liz Zemba is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-601-2166 or lzemba@tribweb.com.