Man Ordered To Stand Trial In Glassport Bachelor Party Slaying

GLASSPORT, Pa.,None — A man accused of shooting a soon-to-be groom during a bachelor party outside an after-hours club in Glassport will go to trial.

Garret Saniak, 27, of West Mifflin, is accused of shooting and killing James Hoover, 36, of Liberty, outside the Sons of Italy Club along Sixth Street on April 25.

Saniak faces six charges, including homicide and aggravated assault. He will be formally arraigned on June 10.

Investigators said Hoover and a group of friends had been out for a bachelor party before an argument outside the club between Hoover's brother, Joshua, and another man led to the shooting.

Hoover died at the scene and his brother was treated for gunshot wounds to the arm and chest.

Joshua Hoover was the only witness to take the stand Friday morning. At one point, he became emotional as he talked about his brother and detailed what happened the night of the killing.

He testified they'd been drinking since 7:30 p.m. and ended the party at Sons of Italy at about 3 a.m., which is when an argument with Saniak turned into a struggle and then a shooting.

"The autopsy report indicates that the muzzle of the gun was in close proximity to the body when it was fired," said defense attorney Chris Pattarini. "There were two people on one person. Once again, I'm looking to see if there's a witness other than Mr. Hoover that can say what happened."

"What Josh gave us today is a very important piece of evidence," said prosecutor Mark Tranquilli. "Regardless of what anybody else at the scene says, that's something a jury or judge needs to hear."

James Hoover was set to marry Angela Mingo, with his three sons to serve as his best men.

"He worked hard so we could have our dream house and the kids can have everything they wanted," said Mingo, who had been with Hoover for 11 years.

Following Hoover's death, Mingo showed Channel 11 News the dress she was going to wear at her wedding.

"We were going to get married, so we did all those plans, just sitting on the couch picking out songs and stuff," Mingo said. "And yesterday, I was picking out a casket."

Tony Campano, the owner of the Sons of Italy Club, said the men were arguing inside the bar and he asked everyone to leave. A short time later, he said, shots were fired.

"I saw the poor fellow laying on the ground," Campano said.

Campano said he knew Hoover's group was celebrating a bachelor party, and they never caused any trouble.

"There was something with the other guys," Campano said. "We asked them to go outside, everybody has to go."

Mingo said she doubts Hoover knew the man accused of shooting him.

"I don't even think he knew the man," she said. "I never heard of him."

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