South Greensburg woman loses bid to have involuntary manslaughter charges dropped in suicide case

A South Greensburg woman accused of sending derisive text messages to her estranged boyfriend urging him to commit suicide two years ago, lost her bid Friday to have involuntary manslaughter charges dropped in the case against her.

Westmoreland Judge Scott Mears said that the two-year statute of limitations on filing the involuntary manslaughter charge against Mandie R. Reusch, 35, was met in the case because the initial charges against her were filed on June 13, 2023, even though prosecutors did not file information on the charge until June 30. The former boyfriend, a 37-year-old veteran who was the father of Reusch’s daughter, died by suicide in his Hempfield residence on June 18, 2021.

Assistant District Attorney Adam Barr had said there was no statute of limitations on the involuntary manslaughter charge.

The Tribune-Review has not identified the victim in the case.

Attorney Phil DiLucente argued that the two-year statute of limitations on the misdemeanor charge of involuntary manslaughter had expired because the criminal complaint was not filed until September, more than two years after the victim’s death.

Reusch was initially charged by state police at Greensburg with aiding suicide and harassment by communications on June 13. The harassment charge was dismissed by District Judge Rebecca C. Tyburski at a preliminary hearing in June, but the aiding suicide charge was held for court.

Mears ruled the defendant had a valid claim about the two-year statute of limitations on the charge of a criminal use of a communication facility.

Barr told Mears he would withdraw the felony charge of criminal use of a communication facility, but not the involuntary manslaughter charge.

While Reusch also remains charged with aiding suicide, DiLucente questioned what the prosecution would claim was “the triggering effect” of a text message Reusch allegedly sent. The defense wants information on what Reusch allegedly texted to the former boyfriend and when it was sent.

“It appears to be a month before the suicide,” DiLucente said.

Several texts were about custody issues regarding their child, DiLucente said.

Barr said, however, that the “vicious statements” within texts over an 18-month period leading to the suicide, were relevant.

Barr also revealed that the state police are investigating Reusch in connection with an “offshoot of the case,” but declined to reveal the nature of the probe. No charges have been filed in that matter, which he said could be a separate case.

A hearing to determine what evidence may be admissible in the case could be held within two months.