Police: Mt. Pleasant Township man out on bail in domestic case tries to kill accuser

A Mt. Pleasant Township man who was freed Saturday on domestic violence charges is accused of going to the woman’s home that day and trying to kill her, according to state police.

Troopers said John Michael Pisula Jr., 30, held a rifle to the woman’s head and apparently pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off. Pisula is being held without bail in the Westmoreland County Prison. He is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, strangulation, unlawful possession of a firearm and related offenses.

Troopers were called to a Joyce Drive home at 7:40 p.m. Friday for a reported domestic dispute, according to court paperwork. A woman there told investigators Pisula assaulted her Wednesday and Thursday, causing bruises to her arms, legs and mouth.

When troopers arrested Pisula, he was in possession of 10 Klonopin tablets, which can be used to treat anxiety, seizures and panic disorder, according to court papers. He was charged with simple assault, drug possession and harassment and held overnight.

Pisula was arraigned at 8 a.m. Saturday and freed on $75,000 unsecured bail by District Judge Charles R. Conway, according to online court records.

Troopers said he picked up a set of car keys at the Joyce Drive home about 10 a.m. and left. He returned about 11 p.m. and got into a fight with the woman because he wasn’t permitted to be there under court-imposed conditions of his previous arrest, according to court papers.

Pisula choked the woman until she passed out and, when she regained consciousness, he stomped on her legs as she sat on the floor, according to police. The woman told troopers Pisula made a small cut on her back with a knife before holding the bolt-action rifle to her head.

He threatened to kill her, the woman told police. She said she heard a “click,” felt the gun being removed from her head and saw Pisula looking at the weapon, according to court papers. She ran to a neighbor’s house to call 911 about 7 a.m. Sunday while Pisula fled. It was unclear where he was captured by police.

He was arraigned Monday and jailed. Pisula did not have an attorney listed in online court records. Preliminary hearings are set for Thursday in the first case and Feb. 6 for the attempted homicide allegations.