A Monessen man whose daughter was murdered last summer must attend 16 weeks of domestic abuse counseling to have a charge of simple assault against him dismissed. John Bright, 36, of 912 Somerset Ave., was charged by Monessen police with assaulting his wife, Annette M. Bright, 41. Annette Bright, who told authorities the incident occurred Feb. 28, did not want to testify against her husband yesterday, so Monessen police agreed to drop the charge when he completes counseling. "They said they're trying to mend their marriage," said Officer Ed Lyons, who filed charges with District Justice Joseph Dalfonso of Monessen. The two arrived together yesterday for John Bright's preliminary hearing and walked away hand-in-hand from the district court. "It's none of the public's business what goes on between me and my wife," John Bright said. "We're obliged to make the arrest," Lyons said, "but once you come in and see them hugging and kissing... " he said, shrugging his shoulders. Domestic abuse cases frequently result in the charges being dropped because the victim refuses to testify, according to Roger Eckels, who acted for Dalfonso yesterday. "Too often it results in the cases being withdrawn. It does happen a lot," Eckels said. Sometimes those involved are repeat cases, he said. "Occasionally it does happen where you get repeat offenders," he said. "But one time is too many if you know what I mean." Lyons said John Bright was already being treated for anger management. Court documents show that he previously has attended meetings for alcohol abuse, but has been sober since 1997. Annette Bright filed the criminal charge and also sought an emergency protection from abuse order from her husband after she told police he abused her. Police responded and found she suffered a bruised and swollen arm and a bruised chin. She told police that John Bright had grabbed her arm and then attempted to choke her, police said. The temporary protection from abuse order revealed that Annette Bright said her husband had abused her and three of their children in the past. John Bright was ordered to have no contact with his wife. However, on Tuesday Annette Bright did not show up at a hearing for a permanent order against John Bright when she could not get a ride to the courthouse. On Monday, the couple were in court together for a hearing before Westmoreland County Judge Rita Hathaway. They were attempting to regain custody of their two children, John Jr., 8, and Marcia, 13, who are living in foster care. Last July, the Brights' daughter, Annette J. Bright, 8, was found shot to death and buried in a makeshift grave after being reported as missing. Charles Koschalk, 35, of Monessen, a family friend, is awaiting trial for her death. The Brights were charged by Westmoreland County Detectives for allegedly stealing more than $4,000 from a memorial fund established in the name of their deceased daughter. After making and later rejecting a plea agreement, they are awaiting trial for the charges.

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