BEAVER, Pa. (AP) — One charge has been dismissed against a sheriff who is being tried on charges that he threatened to shoot an online news reporter who questioned him about a contract.
Judge Francis Fornelli dismissed a reckless endangerment charge against Beaver County Sheriff George David on Wednesday.
Fornelli said prosecutors didn't prove David's gun was loaded at the time of the alleged incident. The trial will continue on counts of terroristic threats, simple assault and intimidation.
David is charged with threatening John Paul Vranesevich, who runs a website, during an April 2012 meeting in the Sheriff's Office. Prosecutors also contend David threatened two deputies.
David denies all the charges. He's still in office because county officials can't remove him and state legislators haven't tried to.
PREVIOUS STORIES:
July 7, 2014 -- Beaver County sheriff's threat trial opens with dramatic testimony
June 19, 2013 -- Beaver Co. Sheriff accused of making threats appears in court
June 3, 2013 -- Prosecutors allege Beaver County sheriff violated bond
April 30, 2013 -- Beaver County sheriff headed to trial on threat claims
March 25, 2013 -- AG: Beaver Co. sheriff threatened to 'blow reporter's brains out'
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