Police defend investigation into stabbing at former Rialto in Greensburg

A Jeannette man told police he had a knife and was prepared to defend himself from a former high school friend as the two fought outside the former Rialto Cafe in downtown Greensburg.

Jurors, during the third day in the attempted homicide trial of Anthony Sharp, 23, watched video of his interrogation by Greensburg police. Sharp admitted to prolonging a fight that started inside the nightclub and later spilled out on to the street.

It ended with the stabbing of 24-year-old Joseph Williams after midnight on Nov. 24, 2022.

Sharp, in the video, answered questions from Greensburg police Sgt. Justin Scalzo. Sharp claimed he acted in self-defense when Williams confronted him after three different physical encounters between the two men prompted an evacuation of the bar.

“I was prepared to defend myself. It was really the last thing I wanted to do,” Sharp said. “He tackled me and I had a knife in my hand. He continued to assault me, and that’s when I started defending myself. I stabbed him maybe twice.”

But Westmoreland County prosecutors contend Sharp stabbed Williams at least 10 times during the melee. He was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.

During his interrogation, Sharp told Scalzo that he and Williams had known each since high school and that Williams previously dated Sharp’s sister. Despite a messy breakup, Sharp insisted there was no animosity between the men.

“I don’t know why they broke up,” Sharp told the detective.

The defense has maintained that Sharp acted in self-defense, accused the police of not conducting a thorough investigation and not questioning witnesses who likely would back Sharp’s story.

Greensburg police Chief Charles Irvin, who was the lead investigator, testified it was his decision to file charges against Sharp.

Defense attorney Stephen Colafella questioned the decision to charge Sharp and not Williams, who witnesses testified initiated the confrontation inside the bar. Williams conceded in testimony earlier this week he headbutted Sharp after he stepped between him and a woman he was talking with as music blared in the nightclub section of the Rialto.

“It was a mutual fight until Mr. Sharp attacked him with a knife,” Irvin testified. “I stand by this decision. The more serious part of this incident is the stabbing.”

Scalzo testified Sharp gave him a list of potential witnesses to speak with but said a miscommunication among investigators resulted in none of those people being questioned by police.

“I interviewed 15 people and six were independent witnesses not there with either group,” Scalzo testified.

Testimony will continue on Thursday.