Judge acquits three in robbery
WAYNESBURG – A Greene County judge who acquitted three men of armed robbery Monday cited “inconsistencies” and “changing stories” from a Monongahela Township couple who accused them of stealing $119,000 in cash in September 2015.
Judge Lou Dayich heard testimony from John Maraney and Ashley Hall during the nonjury trial Wednesday before acquitting the three men on all charges in an order filed Monday. The couple accused Jonathan Price, 24, of Allison, Brennan Aldrich, 24, of Charleroi, and Oshea Thomas, 23, of Republic, of pulling guns on them, tying them up with cords and belts and stealing guns and $119,000 in cash from a safe in their Alicia Main Street home Sept. 6, 2015.
The couple claimed they were at a bar in Republic, Fayette County, that night before going back home. They testified Thomas, who was acquainted with Hall, asked her if he could follow them home and “hang out.” They testified when he got to their house, Aldrich and Price also got out of the car.
The couple testified they had never met Aldrich and Price before that night, but said they had a good time partying with the three men for about 90 minutes before claiming the men pulled out guns and demanded money.
In his verdict order, Dayich said while investigators did find the defendants’ DNA at the residence, the prosecution did not adequately prove what happened that night or that the money existed and was stolen. He also said if Maraney was in possession of a rifle and handgun, which he accused the men of stealing, then Maraney would have obtained those guns through “unlawful transactions.”
Dayich also mentioned the investigators expressed “concerns about the level of intoxication” of Hall and Maraney that night.
After Dayich announced his verdict, several family members of the three defendants hugged them and cried.
Aldrich picked up his infant son and held him while his mother hugged him.
“Finally, I can sleep tonight,” she said in the courtroom.
The three defense attorneys also received hugs and handshakes from their clients and their families.
“We couldn’t be happier,” said attorney Josh Camson, who represented Aldrich. “We were all hoping for that verdict.”
Attorney Gary Graminski, who represented Price, also said that he was glad Dayich agreed with the attorneys and that he was “paying attention” to the inconsistent testimonies.
“If you’re the victim, you should only have one story,” he said.
Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox, who prosecuted the case, did not attend the verdict and could not be reached for comment.