Paralyzed victim testifies at men's trial

A Mt. Lebanon man described Tuesday how two men robbed him at a Downtown parking garage but could not identify which one twice pulled the trigger of the weapon that has left him paralyzed.

Michael Lahoff, 52, told an Allegheny County jury the man who put a gun to his head on the seventh floor of the Smithfield-Liberty garage never said anything more than "I want it all."

"But I could see in his eyes he was aiming at me," Lahoff testified. "I knew he would pull the trigger. I said: 'No. Don't do that. You don't have to do that.' Then I heard a bang."

The first shot shattered Lahoff's collarbone. A second one shattered the life of the popular Boy Scout leader and copier repairman.

Lahoff, paralyzed from the shoulders down, testified yesterday during the first day of the trial for two men accused of robbing him Jan. 3, 2003. The robbery netted $15.

Lahoff testified he could not identify either Lamont Fulton, 19, of Crafton Heights, or admitted triggerman Marty Allen Armstrong, 20, of Springdale. Fulton is on trial for attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and conspiracy.

Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning will decide the fate of Armstrong, who indicated before the trial began that he will plead guilty to all charges but attempted homicide. Armstrong may testify later in the trial.

As he was led into court yesterday, Fulton said Armstrong is a "snitch."

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pellegrini told the jury during opening remarks that Fulton is as guilty as Armstrong because he participated in the robbery.

Defense attorney Michael DeRiso countered that Fulton was simply present for the robbery and shooting.

"There was no agreement," he told the jurors. "Mr. Fulton simply chose the wrong man to spend the rest of his day with."

Seated in front of the jury in a wheelchair, Lahoff said he was sitting on the bumper of his Ford Escort and looking up in a manual a part for a copier he services at a nearby building when the assailants approached.

After the gunman demanded money, Lahoff said, he handed over his wallet and begged for his life. He then was shot.

Workers in several offices near the garage heard the shots and saw Lahoff slumped on the floor.

Lahoff said he prayed, thought of his family and called for help.

Terry Susan Schneider, a Port Authority employee in the nearby Heinz Building, was one of those who helped him.

After Lahoff testified, he asked to speak with Schneider. She said afterward that Lahoff thanked her for coming to his aid.

"I told him I wish we could have done more," Schneider said. "Not a week goes by that I don't look out the window and think of him there."

Lahoff declined to comment after his testimony yesterday.