Greensburg man found guilty of sex assault
A Greensburg man was found guilty Wednesday of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and could face up to 23 years in prison when he is sentenced this year.
Westmoreland County jurors convicted Daniel DeAugustine, 38, of five counts, including felony offenses of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault, in connection with two incidents in 2015.
His accuser, now 19, claimed that, while a teenager, she was pulled into a room at DeAugustine’s home, where he forced her to engage in sexual activity.
After three days of testimony and arguments from lawyers, jurors deliberated more than three hours before reaching a verdict. A previous jury in June was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, forcing a mistrial.
Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Calisti told jurors Wednesday they should believe the accuser’s testimony that she was sexually assaulted.
“The case involves a man who can do what he wants when he wants,” Calisti said.
DeAugustine did not testify during the trial. Defense attorney Tim Andrews maintained that the woman concocted the allegations.
DeAugustine, who had been free on unsecured bond since his arrest in 2015, was handcuffed, taken into custody and will remain incarcerated until he is sentenced in about three months. Andrews argued DeAugustine was not a danger to the community and asked that he remain free on bail.
Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani said he revoked DeAugustine’s bond because, as a result of Wednesday’s conviction, he is a risk to flee the jurisdiction.
Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact
Rich at 724-830-6293 or rcholodofsky@tribweb.com.
Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.
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