Motorcycle club member accused of orchestrating violent attack at bar

CHARLEROI, Pa. — A high-ranking member of the Pagan Motorcycle Club has been arrested and charged in a bar beating.

Michael Barringer is accused of ordering the beating of a former club member who prosecutors said nearly killed the man.

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Channel 11 has extensively covered the attempted homicide case in which seven suspects have been arrested.

In April, Charleroi police were called to the Slovak Club for man who was unconscious and bleeding.

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Prosecutors said Barringer is the third-highest ranking member of the Pagan Motorcycle Club and that he ordered the man's beating to "send him a message."

Prosecutors said Barringer also hired a private investigator, who is a retired state trooper. They said he paid the investigator $2,500 to approach the victim's family and offer them a settlement.

Retired state trooper James Baranowski told the victim and his wife they would be taken care of financially and guaranteed their safety in exchange for them not pursing the criminal case, prosecutors said.

Barringer's defense attorney argued that Baranowski was not offering a bribe, but offering the family a civil option that would have involved lawyers and helped the family.

A judge dropped the obstruction charge. Barringer will go to trial for felony intimidation of a victim and intimidation.

Cox Media Group