State prosecutors Thursday morning withdrew domestic violence charges against the son of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., court records show.
Ohio Township police charged Stephen John Zappala, 31, of Ben Avon Heights, with simple assault and harassment on July 23, court records show. He was arraigned and released on a nonmonetary bond.
“Our prosecutor submitted, for the record, a letter from the alleged victim where she stated that she did not wish to proceed with the prosecution of this case,” said Brett Hambright of the state Attorney General’s office. “In consideration of the evidence we had available, the charges were withdrawn.”
Ohio Township police Officer Kevin Friess said he was notified July 23 of a domestic dispute “at a known location” in Ben Avon Heights, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
“On arrival, a known commonwealth victim made an allegation he/she was injured by the defendant,” Friess said in the complaint. “There was physical evidence to substantiate the allegation viewed by law enforcement.”
The DA’s office, in accordance with its policy, referred the matter to the state Attorney General, officials there said. The office declined to comment Thursday.
Attorney Charles John Porter, who represented Zappala, did not respond to calls for comment.
