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Crucible man acquitted in threats, assault case

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WAYNESBURG – A Greene County jury Tuesday found a Crucible man not guilty of simple assault and terroristic threats.

The question was whether Joseph R. Bellis, 27, was informing his neighbor of his HIV status or threatening him after an altercation last summer.

Bellis’ defense attorney, Harry Cancelmi, said even though his client has been found not guilty, he has been the true victim throughout the ordeal and will suffer the consequences of private details becoming public.

Cancelmi argued in his opening statement Tuesday Bellis was informing his neighbor, James Black, he may have been infected with the virus during their fight June 9, 2017.

Greene County Assistant District Attorney Andrew Lock presented it differently, saying Bellis intended it as a threat; “that he had just given him AIDS and he was going to die,” he said.

Cancelmi argued Bellis was protecting himself, his daughter and his property and Black was “as much a cause and a participant as Mr. Bellis was” in the fight.

Charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment were withdrawn prior to the trial. Judge Farley Toothman found Bellis not guilty of a summary harassment charge in line with the jury’s verdict.

Black reportedly confronted Bellis after his vehicle sped through their neighborhood while children were playing outside. Black testified he followed Bellis down the street and had no intention to be physical, but rather talk to Bellis about the incident and then collect photos when he believed Bellis intended to flee from the scene.

“I wasn’t there for a physical confrontation,” Black said in court Tuesday. “I wanted a picture of his (license) plate. My main objective was to get him to slow down, not to be physical.”

Other neighbors testified they heard the threat in a mocking tone, whereas Bellis’ niece said she heard her uncle warn the others he was HIV-positive as she was comforting her nephew, who was upset by the fight.

Bellis’ brother, James, was also originally charged with harassment for reportedly putting Black in a headlock, but the charge was later dropped after he apologized.

Cancelmi said he felt the jury reached the correct verdict. “The defendant didn’t initiate the disturbance,” he said.

Lock had no comment other than to thank the jury for its service.

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