Woman charged in Steelers-related attack OK'd for trial

A Youngwood mother on Wednesday was ruled competent to stand trial for her alleged role in her own mother’s assault that occurred as she attempted to watch a televised Pittsburgh Steelers preseason football game two years ago.

Delores Amorino, 42, told a Westmoreland County judge she wants a trial for the charges filed in connection with an attack in August 2017 in which police said her then 77-year-old mother was beaten, strangled and had her head shaved during a dispute about the television volume during the game.

Meanwhile, Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger ruled Delores Amorino’s now 19-year-old daughter, Sarah, is not competent to stand trial.

Both Delores Amorino and her daughter are charged with the same offenses: aggravated assault, strangulation, conspiracy and other related counts.

Dr. Matthew Lang, a doctor at Torrance State Hospital, testified that both mother and daughter were diagnosed with a rare psychological disorder in which both suffered from shared delusions. Lang said Delores Amorino was able to set aside her delusions and assist her defense lawyer while her daughter was incapable of doing the same.

Both have delusions they are in romantic relationships with one current and one former member of the Steelers, Lang said. Defense lawyers Tim Dawson and Jennifer DeFlitch said the women believe the players, former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and linebacker Bud Dupree, would intervene in their criminal case.

Lang, who testified by telephone during Wednesday’s hearing, said that belief rendered Sarah Amorino incapable to assist her defense.

“She (Sarah) believes they will use their famous status to protect her and it will impact their careers if they help her defense,” Lang testified.

Police said women lived together with Delores Amorino’s mother when they argued over the volume of a Steelers game broadcast.

The older woman locked herself in a bedroom when mother and daughter broke down the door and began physically abusing her over two days, striking her with a broom handle, stomping on her foot, choking her with bare hands and a scarf, and shaving her head with scissors and a shaver, according to court records.

The victim escaped as the women slept and walked a half-mile to the borough building to seek help, police said.

No trial date for Delores Amorino has been scheduled. Krieger said he will rule soon on a defense request to have the charges against her dismissed.

Sarah Amorino pleaded with the judge to rule her competent. She said she understood her legal situation, would put her delusions aside during the case. She claimed she was threatened by other patients during a previous stint in the hospital.

The judge ordered her to return to Torrance State Hospital to continue treatment. Krieger said he will conduct a hearing in about two months to evaluate her progress.