A new law firm for a former Franklin Regional High University scholar serving a 60-yr jail expression for a 2014 knife attack that hurt 21 men and women contends not adequate evidence was introduced on his behalf through his sentencing hearing.
Alex Hribal, 23, formerly of Murrysville, was 16 when he was billed in connection with the April 9, 2014, assault in which prosecutors stated he used two kitchen knives to slash and stab learners and a stability guard in a school hallway. Five learners ended up very seriously wounded, prosecutors said.
In the new enchantment, Hribal contends his to start with attorney “gave ineffective support for failing to current other meritorious challenges at sentencing.” Hribal was represented by legal professional Pat Thomassey soon just after his arrest until eventually past calendar year.
Hribal’s new law firm, Thomas Farrell, on Thursday submitted two paperwork in court docket: a single that usually requested for a new trial and to fundamentally provide as a location holder for a a lot more specific enchantment, and an additional that asks the decide for added time to evaluation the situation file and submit particular claims.
“We’re likely to make it distinct. We hope to appraise the scenario and get a very clear image of the concerns,” Farrell stated.
Hribal pleaded guilty in October 2017 to 43 expenses. Typical Pleas Court docket Decide Christopher Feliciani sentenced him to serve 231⁄2 to 60 several years in prison.
The protection argued for a substantially shorter sentence.
Hribal, along with his parents, contended his steps have been in response to becoming bullied by other pupils and psychological disease. His protection argued Hribal suffered from depression and schizophrenia at the time of the assault.
Law enforcement discovered a handwritten manifesto in Hribal’s locker following the attack. In that document, Hribal talked about his dissatisfaction with school, difficulties with other pupils and a need to do harm. He also expressed praise for two teens who killed students in the course of a 1999 taking pictures rampage at Columbine Substantial School in Colorado.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last yr turned down Hribal’s 1st charm in which he claimed the judge abused his discretion when he imposed the lengthy sentence.
Thomassey mentioned Thursday he continue to believes Hribal’s sentence was abnormal but experienced no understanding of additional proof that really should have been launched through the sentencing hearing.
“As significantly as I know, I offered no matter what proof I had,” Thomassey said.
Next his arrest, the defense failed in its exertion to have Hribal prosecuted as a juvenile and was unsuccessful in an attempt to make it possible for him to plead guilty but mentally sick.
District Lawyer John Peck mentioned Hribal’s new attractiveness has no benefit.
“Alex Hribal had outstanding demo counsel. Searching back on the scenario now, there was an huge volume of exertion in owning Alex’s mental health and fitness affliction entirely evaluated and elucidated,” Peck claimed. “All of individuals studies had been offered to the decide.
“I’m at a reduction as to what Mr. Farrell can be referring to.”
Prosperous Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Evaluate personnel writer. You can speak to Rich at 724-830-6293, [email protected] or by way of Twitter .