EMPORIUM — A bench trial will be held for three Emporium residents accused of assaulting a man with a shovel last year.
Michael E. Hallowell, 48, Dana Lee Grovanz, 35, and Christopher James Grovanz, 37, will have a judge preside over a trial for allegations stemming from a late-night altercation in the Emporium Borough.
According to the court documents, the three were charged with one felony count each of rioting with the intent to commit a felony for an incident alleged to have occurred on April 12 near the intersection of Fourth and Broad streets.
Affidavits in the case indicate that Hallowell stopped in the middle of Fourth Street while lighting a cigarette and the victim honked his horn at him to get him to move from the roadway. Hallowell is said to have moved but shouted profanities at the driver while he did so.
The victim circled the block and got out of his vehicle to confront Hallowell at the intersection of Broad Street and Soft Serve Lane and the two engaged in a physical altercation. During a lull in the action, the victim attempted to walk away. Police allege that at this time, Hallowell took a shovel leaning against a nearby building and struck the victim in the ribs from behind. The victim stated that he disarmed Hallowell but was hit again with the shovel by Dana Grovanz. The victim stated he then hit Dana Grovanz to stop the attack and was attacked by Christopher J. Grovanz, according to court records.
Hallowell also faces two additional misdemeanor counts of simple assault and is being represented by Cameron County Public Defender Attorney Christopher Martini. Dana Grovanz will face one count of simple assault. Her attorney is John R. Thomas. Christopher J. Grovanz faces four additional simple assault charges and is being represented by Attorney George N. Daghir.
The three suspects chose a joint bench trial, meaning that the trial judge serves as both judge of the facts and judge of the law, rather than the trial being held in front of a 12-member jury.
No dates for the trial have yet been scheduled.
