Judge sentences man in tire iron beating death to life without parole

PITTSBURGH — The man accused of beating an elderly Squirrel Hill man with a tire iron last year was sentenced to life in prison without parole Thursday.

Jason Kuhns, 35, of Brentwood, was found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery and burglary in the slaying of 90-year-old Cuddy Briskin.

Judge Anthony Mariani said this case was the first time he never second guessed himself about a life in prison sentence.

"He indicated that what Kuhns did to his grandfather, that there was no question he needed to serve every day of the rest of his life in prison," Prosecutor Mark Tranquilli said.

Briskin was found dead inside his home on Fernwald Road April 5, 2011. Police said Briskin suffered trauma to his head, which was covered with a bag.

According to testimony from a Pittsburgh officer, Kuhns confessed to having a drug addiction that started with heroin and escalated to prescription drugs and crack cocaine.

The detective testified that Kuhns admitted that he needed money to buy drugs, so he targeted his estranged wife's 90-year-old grandfather, Briskin.

According to Tranquilli, Kuhns admitted to going to Briskin's home to steal money because he knew the man had gone out with friends that night. Kuhns admitted to breaking in the garage door and then into the home before seeing Briskin was inside, the officer testified.

Police said Kuhns told them he "freaked out … and striked him with a tire iron." Police said Kuhns then told them he "couldn't look at him and put several bags over his head."

Investigators said a break in the case came from the police pawn division. According to the criminal complaint, Kuhns cashed in 67 genuine silver dollar coins at the Southside Jewelers and More Pawn Shop on East Carson Street.

A person from the store positively identified Kuhns as the man who brought the coins in, police said. Briskin's daughter positively identified the coins as her father's.

Kuhns' defense attorney, Jim Ecker, said they're not done fighting the case, and they plan on appealing the sentence.

"To this very moment, he has said he is innocent," Ecker said. "He intends to do everything he can to get a new trial and prove his innocence."

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