Jan 31, 2017 4 min read

A former Canon-McMillan High School gym teacher and wrestling coach was ordered to stand trial for allegedly assaulting his brother-in-law and sister-in-law after the arresting officer testified during a preliminary hearing that surveillance video from a dining room at South Strabane Township golf club shows the confrontation.

Timothy P. Mousetis, 60, of 190 Wilmont Ave., East Washington, was ordered held for court Tuesday by District Judge Jay Weller on one count each of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct and two counts each of simple assault and harassment. A charge of driving under the influence of alcohol was dismissed.

Mousetis is accused of assaulting John and Debra Abajace inside The Golf Club of Washington, 599 Country Club Road, Dec. 16. Neither John Abajace, 67, nor Debra Abajace, 63, both of North Strabane Township, testified at the proceeding. They were present in the courtroom at the beginning of the hearing but sequestered as potential witnesses.

South Strabane Township police Sgt. Michael Manfredi said when he arrived at the club after getting a call of a fight, he found John Abajace had a large amount of blood coming from his face and nose. He was also bleeding profusely from a laceration on his cheek. Debra Abajace had an injury to her forehead and was complaining of pain. Both were taken to Washington Hospital for treatment.

Manfredi said that the surveillance is consistent with the statements of the Abajaces. Mousetis reportedly entered the dining room and exchanged words with the couple. Manfredi said it is obvious in the video that the Abajaces are the intended recipient of Mousetis’ anger. There was reportedly vulgar language and pointing of a finger.

“He wasn’t happy, especially with Debra Abajace,” Manfredi said.

Mousetis then left, but returned, Manfredi said.

“You can see that Mousetis has a glass in his hand and there is what appears to be a throwing motion,” Manfredi testified. “It appears in the video where the victim (John Abajace) is hit in the face.”

John Abajace was also struck with two punches, described by Manfredi as uppercuts to the face. Mousetis also reportedly headbutted his brother-in-law in the face. Manfredi said a group appeared to be trying to separate the two men. Debra Abajace reached over them, Manfredi testified, and grabbed Mousetis by the hair. Mousetis reportedly grabbed her by the hair. Debra Abajace’s head is then hit against the door, door jamb and wall, Manfredi testified.

“She (Debra Abajace) told me that she was going to do whatever she had to do to get him off her husband,” Manfredi said.

Under cross-examination by defense attorney Thomas Will, Manfredi was asked if John Abajace threw the first punch. Manfredi said it was difficult to see if Abajace struck first. Mousetis also reportedly told the officer that he was hit first by Abajace.

When police received the call, they were told that an intoxicated driver was leaving the scene and given a description of the vehicle. Mousetis was stopped near the intersection of Country Club and Locust Avenue. He was taken to Canonsburg Hospital, where blood was drawn to determine his level of intoxication. The results showed that he was under the limit presumed for intoxication.

Will argued that the aggravated assault charge as well as the DUI should be dismissed against his client. Assistant District Attorney Cassidy Miller Gerstner countered that the charge for the attack on John Abajace should remain because he continues to suffer long-lasting effects from his injuries.

John Abajace is a former head wrestling coach at Trinity High School and a state high school wrestling champion in the 1960s, Both Abajaces were granted temporary protection-from-abuse orders against Mousetis and have filed a civil lawsuit.

Mousetis, who also formerly coached at Chartiers-Houston, was placed on leave by Canon-McMillan and has since retired, according to Superintendent Michael Daniels. He is free on $50,000 bond. As a condition of the bond, he has been attending anger management classes. He is scheduled for formal arraignment on April 21.