Derry Township man to serve up to 10 years for assaults at eviction hearing

A Derry Township man will serve up to 10 years in prison for assaults against a lawyer and a witness during an eviction hearing more than two years ago.

Kevin Cole, 34, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault in connection with allegations he attacked the lawyer who presided over a public hearing to determine if he should be removed from public housing, as well as a woman called to testify against him.

Police said that on Oct. 25, 2017, Cole attacked attorney Tim Andrews. Andrews was left with a broken nose, a cut on his left ear that required three stitches, a 2-inch laceration on his lip and numerous bruises in the assault, state police said. The woman suffered a broken jaw and tooth and a bruised face and bleeding around her mouth.

After the assault, Cole fled and was arrested three days later in North Carolina, police said.

In court Thursday, Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani sentenced Cole to terms of a negotiated plea bargain. He was ordered to serve five to 10 years in prison and complete an anger management course.

Cole said he regretted his actions.

“I was so overwhelmed from losing my house. I really didn’t understand how it happened so fast, and I regret it,” Cole said. “I am so very sorry. I have no animosity, and I know Mr. Andrews was just trying to do his job.”

Cole also pleaded guilty to charges he fled to avoid apprehension and a separate count of witness intimidation involving the same attack against the woman outside of the hearing. He was ordered to serve a concurrent sentence of 27 to 54 months in prison for those offenses.