By Penni Schaefer
May 08, 2008 11:20 pm
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EDINBORO — All four persons charged with harassment, stemming from an April 22 peace rally in downtown Edinboro that ended in a brawl, have pleaded not guilty and are waiting for a hearing date to be set, according to officials at Magist-erial District Judge Denise Stuck-Lewis’ office in Edinboro.
Charges were filed April 29 against sisters Andrea and Alyssa Stelmack of Erie, both students at Edinboro University of Pennsylv-ania. Also cited were Jason and Carrie Swartout of Townville. All four were charged with harassment in the April 22 altercation that took place at the intersection of Erie and Meadville streets.
According to the citations written by Officer Todd Eaglen of the Edinboro Police Department, Andrea Stelmack kicked and punched Carrie Swartout in the head “with the intent to subject another by physical contact.” Alyssa Stelmack was also cited for shoving and striking Carrie with an open and closed fist to the head.
Jason Swartout, an Iraq War veteran, was also issued a citation for shoving one of the Stelmacks.
The report stated he also grabbed one of the women around the neck. Carrie is also being charged with engaging in fighting.
According to previous reports, the Swartouts and their 14-year-old son and three additional children were among a group of pro-troops supporters who were counter-protesting the Tuesdays at Two pro-peace vigil. The two groups were on opposite sides of the street and had been shouting at each other. The physical scuffle didn’t start until the Swartouts’ 14-year-old son crossed the street to videotape part of the event.
Asked if the 14-year-old was charged, Edinboro Police Chief Jeff Craft said he could make no comment regarding juvenile charges.
Craft said the investigation is complete and he expects no further charges. He said he had viewed videotapes of the incident — one taken by the Swartouts and one by a Tuesdays at Two participant.
He said he couldn’t really tell who made physical contact first because the videotapes didn’t show everyone all the time.
The harassment charges stem from the physical encounter only — which appeared to be brief — not from the verbal clash. No injuries were reported to authorities. Craft said harassment charges are for pushing, shoving, kicking and striking and are a lesser-degree charge, rather than simple or aggravated assault that can follow some physical altercations.
Stuck-Lewis is out of her office until Monday, but a hearing date is expected to be set following her return.
If found guilty by the judge, each of the four parties involved faces up to 90 days in jail and fines of $300 each.
Carrie Swartout was a guest on Bill O’Reilly’s “The O’Reilly Factor” TV show on the Fox News Channel on April 29 when parts of one of the two videos was shown.
Penni Schaefer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pschaefer@meadvilletribune.com.
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