Log In


Reset Password

Mistrial declared in trial in beating deaths of mother, son

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A mistrial has been declared in the trial of a western Pennsylvania man accused in the beating deaths of a mother and son 5½ years ago

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Westmoreland County jurors reported Wednesday that they were unable to reach a verdict in the case against 44-year-old Robert Briestensky. The panel deliberated for eight hours over two days.

Briestensky was accused of beating 46-year-old Bonnie Lee Broadwater and 24-year-old Lance Holt to death with a baseball bat in their Arnold home in October 2012 in a dispute over drugs

District Attorney John Peck said he will likely retry the case.

Defense attorneys said DNA evidence could point to another suspect. Defense attorney John Hauser said jurors' inability to reach a verdict "is reflective of reasonable doubt," he said.

–––

Information from: Tribune-Review, http://triblive.com