Brookline man accused of attacking postal worker in Mt. Lebanon now faces federal charges

A Brookline man already facing state charges accusing him of attacking a postal worker with a baseball bat has now been indicted in U.S. District Court for attempted murder of a federal employee.

Matthew Harrison, 43, is also charged with assault of an employee with a deadly weapon.

The original criminal complaint filed in the state case said Mt. Lebanon police were dispatched to Dorchester Avenue and Good Way just before 4:30 p.m. May 28 for a report of an assault.

An on-duty postal worker had been attacked nearby on Castlegate Avenue.

When police arrived, they said the victim had been severely beaten. Both wrists or arms were visibly broken, with bones nearly exposed, according to the complaint.

He was “covered in blood from his head to his legs,” the complaint said.

The postal worker, who was able to identify Harrison from having delivered mail in the area for 25 years, was taken to UPMC Mercy.

Police said they established a perimeter around Harrison’s home and took him into custody following a standoff that lasted several hours.

The victim told police that he was delivering mail when he was struck in the head from behind. He recognized Harrison but told police the two had never any issues in the past, the complaint said.

Because of the federal court charges, it is expected that state charges of aggravated assault and attempted homicide will be dropped. Harrison is currently being held at Allegheny County Jail without bail.