A Westmoreland County judge on Wednesday set bail at $150,000 for a Ligonier Township man who has been behind bars in connection with a domestic dispute and hourslong police standoff in April.
Thomas U. Crary, 47, had been held without bail since his arrest.
In seeking bail to be set, defense attorney Samir Sarna said a mental health and drug and alcohol evaluation recommended Crary undergo inpatient treatment. Crary has had issues with alcohol abuse for years and never had an opportunity to seek mental health treatment, Sarna said.
“He’s very much interested in resolving this matter, putting this behind him,” Sarna said.
Ligonier Valley police arrested Crary after being called to Terrace Road about 4:30 p.m. April 28 for a reported domestic dispute with injuries. He is accused of punching a woman and attempting to throw her over a second-floor railing inside a home. Police said she lost consciousness after Crary choked her. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Ligonier Valley police got help from the state police Special Emergency Response Team upon learning of Crary’s access to firearms. The standoff ended at 1:30 a.m. when he surrendered. Neighbors on the private lane remained in their homes during the incident while firefighters blocked off roads, police said.
He is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault and reckless endangerment.
Assistant District Attorney Anthony Iannamorelli said Crary’s firearms have been seized.
“It is just too early in the stages here for me to feel comfortable with anything but the bond as set,” he said, referring to Crary being denied bail at the time of this arrest.
Iannamorelli shared concerns with Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio that an inpatient treatment setting wouldn’t be secure if Crary were to be released from the Westmoreland County Prison.
“What can we do to ensure the safety of the community if he’s somewhere else?” Iannamorelli said.
Bilik-DeFazio ordered that Crary be subject to home electronic monitoring if he is able to post the $150,000.
“I do appreciate the commonwealth’s concern for community safety,” she said.
