Dogfighting ring hearings postponed
Preliminary hearings for six men arrested in connection with a western Pennsylvania dogfighting ring were postponed Thursday in the courtroom of McKeesport District Justice Thomas Brletic. A rescheduled court date is expected to be announced today.
"The difficulty we're running into in rescheduling the preliminary hearings is that we have to contact all of the different attorneys representing these individuals and come up with a date from there," Brletic said.
Charged last month on numerous counts of cruelty to animals and criminal conspiracy were Thomas L. Ackerman, 26, and Harry Maurice Ackerman Jr., 30, both of Lamont Avenue, McKeesport; Christopher Lee Bryce of Baldwin Avenue, McKeesport; Robert C. "Doc" Cooper, 48, of Springwood Drive, Penn Hills; Richard L. Henderson of Julian Street, Bedford; and Dale Shaw of Chestnut Street, Jeannette.
The Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Division investigated the case for more than a year. Affidavits of probable cause state that individual betting went as high as $50,000 and pit bulls that lost or were seriously injured were electrocuted and buried in unmarked graves. Fighting dogs also were given performance-enhancing drugs, investigators said. Numerous dogs were seized in a state police raid on Oct. 2.
Tallie Watson, 26, has been released on bail after posting 10 percent of a $2,000 bond. Brletic had temporarily raised the bond to $10,000 cash over concerns that Watson might be a flight risk. But these concerns were resolved as Watson waived Thursday's preliminary hearing, sending the case to Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
The affidavit of probable cause states that a McKeesport officer responded to a report of a Thanksgiving Day disturbance and arrived to find a large group of people fighting with baseball bats. When he attempted to disperse the crowd, Watson, who was visiting relatives, allegedly threw the shoe at him, causing a cut to his lip that required several stitches.
Gateway School District
Financial consultants looking to win a contract with the Gateway School District will give presentations Tuesday on the services they would provide the district on its $20 million high school renovation project.
District Business Manager Harvey Smith said the companies will have about 30 minutes to make their presentations to the school board.
The district also will be reviewing proposals from potential bond counsels. The prospective bond counsels will not be making presentations, but submitting written proposals, Smith said.
The project is expected to include new light fixtures, placing artificial turf on the football field, reconfiguring the parking lots and building new concession stands and a press box. Inside, renovations and additions are expected to include expanding the cafeteria, replacing windows, lighting and flooring, and improving classrooms, locker rooms and the gymnasium.
The financial consultants' presentations are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the district's central administration building, 9000 Gateway Campus Blvd.
