By Rick Bruni Jr.

Published: Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Tuesday, October 2, 2012

A Donora man could be tried for attempted homicide if recent evidence can support the charge, according to Washington County Assistant District Attorney Chad Schneider.

James Russell Tyree Sr., 61, of 938 McKean Ave., allegedly stabbed Lamont Dixon on Sept. 8 could also face attempted homicide and felony aggravated assault in addition to the original counts of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, Schneider confirmed Monday.

Tyree's preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in front of Magisterial District Judge Mark Wilson.

“The reason he was charged as he was initially is we didn't have all the information,” Schneider said. “If the facts warrant, (the criminal complaint) could be amended at the time of the hearing.”

According to the police affidavit of probable cause, Dixon's wife, Natasha, told police that she, her husband and their child were at Tyree's Donora residence when Lamont Dixon and Tyree got into a verbal altercation about the latter refusing to wear clothing despite the child being present.

Natasha Dixon told police that they were leaving the residence when Lamont Dixon had one foot down the stairway when she thought Tyree had pushed her husband toward the wall. As Lamont turned toward Natasha, she saw blood running down his stomach.

She yelled, “Are you serious?” at Tyree, who responded, “That's right, I stuck him!”

Natasha Dixon did not speak with Donora police until Sept. 17 because she said Lamont Dixon had to be flown to UPMC Presbyterian for emergency open-heart surgery.

“If we're talking about stabbing at that part of the body in an attempt to cause bodily injury, you could have attempted criminal homicide,” Schneider said.

Tyree remains in Washington County Correctional Facility on $25,000 straight bond.

Rick Bruni Jr. is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at rbruni@tribweb.com or 724-684-2635.

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