WASHINGTON, Pa. — A jury has acquitted a former Burgettstown police officer and constable in the shooting death of his daughter's ex-boyfriend last year.
The Washington County panel deliberated for only about two hours Saturday before acquitting 69-year-old James Bongiorni of murder or manslaughter in the April 2016 death of 38-year-old Brian Wilbert.
Bongiorni said he fired because Wilbert came at him with a Bowie knife, contradicting assertions from other witnesses who said Wilbert was unarmed.
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Defense attorney Robert DelGreco cited testimony that another man was heard to say "I'll slit your throat" and asked "Who is going to slit someone's throat? The guy with the gun or the guy with the knife?"
Bongiorni also told police Wilbert had made threats against his daughter and had enlisted the help of former boxing champion Paul Spadafora.
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