2 more facing charges in Hempfield neighborhood dispute over football

Two more people were charged Friday in connection with the alleged theft of a football after it landed in a neighboring Hempfield yard during a family reunion.

Catherine A. Martino, 90, is accused of kicking a state trooper in the ankles while Sharon Martino, 63, is charged with obstruction, theft and receiving stolen property.

State police were called to Skyline Drive on Sept. 6 after a neighbor reported that the Martinos refused to return a football to children at a family reunion. The situation escalated from a neighborhood dispute to an alleged assault when Joseph Martino, 60, fought with troopers who arrived to get the football returned, according to court papers.

A message left at their home Monday was not immediately returned.

Catherine Martino is the mother of Joseph and Sharon, according to a neighbor who previously told the Tribune-Review that the children were playing with the $18 ball when one missed a catch. Police said Sharon Martino grabbed it from the yard and refused to give it back to teach the children a lesson.

Investigators were questioning Catherine and Sharon Martino at the front door about the situation when Joseph Martino started fighting with troopers, according to court papers.

Catherine Martino is accused of hitting a trooper numerous times with her fists and feet, police said. The troopers had minor injuries.

The ball eventually was returned.

Joseph Martino is free on $100,000 bail on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, resisting arrest, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Catherine Martino is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, theft, receiving stolen property, harassment and disorderly conduct. Charges against her and Sharon Martino were sent by summons.

Preliminary hearings for all three Martinos are set for Oct. 6, according to online court records. None had an attorney listed.