CLEARFIELD – A Houtzdale man who allegedly broke all the facial bones of his victim has pleaded guilty to simple assault in Clearfield County Court.
Dylan Christopher Killian, 19, 823 Elizabeth St., Houtzdale was originally charged with aggravated assault and simple assault in relation to an incident in Houtzdale on April 1. His guilty plea to a simple assault charge carried a probation only sentence.
Prior to sentencing, the victim addressed the court, making his point quickly with a gesture and a question.
He popped out a glass eye, which he held up, asking Clearfield County Judge Paul E. Cherry, “why is this simple assault?” He explained that every bone in his face was broken and he lost his eye as a result of this assault.
District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. defended his simple assault plea offer by explaining it was a mutual fight. Shaw stated that the victim was told not to go to Killian’s house, but he did and while there threatened Killian.
“He started it,” Shaw said referring to the victim. Shaw added that he decided not to prosecute the case after learning that the fight was on Killian’s property and that he was just defending himself.
The victim answered this by claiming it was not a mutual fight.
“I asked him if he was afraid of me,” he stated because Killian was holding a piece of wood in his hand.
After this dramatic gesture and argument, Cherry decided to continue the case so he could look into it further.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Killian told police that he called the victim who he heard was making threats, to tell him to stay away from his family. The victim later accosted Killian and tried to hit him. Killian said he ducked and then hit the victim with a right uppercut. After the victim fell, Killian admitted he got on top of him and struck him eight to 10 times with his elbow.
Originally the victim was taken to Altoona Regional Hospital, before he was transferred to UPMC Presbyterian. A social worker with the hospital reported to police that the victim was in critical condition.