HT News

July 3, 2009

Bail denied for assault suspect

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A Luzerne County judge on Thursday denied a request for lower bail for a Hazleton man charged in a home invasion and the beating of a prominent Hazleton couple.

President Judge Chester Muroski denied 22-year-old Daniel Pinkney’s request to lower his $500,000 bail.

In court papers filed by his attorney, John Donovan, Pinkney said he has lived in Hazleton since he was 10 years old, graduated from Hazleton Area High School in 2005, lives with a longtime friend on North Sixth Street, has numerous friends, is employed in construction and is a certified nurse’s aide.

Donovan said his client’s bail was unreasonable because bail for Pinkney’s co-defendant, Anthony Cangiano, who is charged with similar crimes and fled to Eastern Europe, was set at $250,000. Donovan said Pinkney is financially unable to post the amount.

Had the bail reduction been granted, Donovan said Pinkney would reside on North Sixth Street and comply with any conditions.

According to court papers, on Nov. 15, Martha Caputo, 78, was asleep on her couch when two masked men entered at around 9 p.m., tried to smother her, threatened her with a handgun and demanded money.

Police said the attacker beat her with a gun. Nicholas Caputo went downstairs when he heard his wife’s screams and was also attacked, police said. Nicholas Caputo escaped out the back door and ran for help.

Cangiano and Pinkney were later identified as suspects by police through witnesses and other evidence.

Pinkney faces assault, burglary, robbery and criminal conspiracy charges.

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