Escapee, Alleged Murderer Ordered to Face Trial
Crissman
A Templeton man who fled from the Armstrong County Jail last month and allegedly killed a friend during his manhunt will go to trial for all the felony crimes he is accused of.
Former inmate Robert Crissman stood at his preliminary hearing yesterday afternoon with court-appointed Defense Attorney Charles Pascal in the Armstrong County Courthouse before District Magisterial Judge James Owen before Judge Owen heard testimony why all the charges – including criminal homicide, murder, aggravated assault and robbery - should be assessed.
During the court proceedings, witnesses and Pennsylvania State Police officials told how Crissman struck the victim – his friend Tammy Long – with a toilet bowl lid and then strangled her with a shoelace before being found by her boyfriend, Terry Slagle.
Slagle testified that Crissman arrived at the home shortly after his escape. 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call about Long’s death that afternoon.
Slagle and Long’s relatives did not speak with media officials after yesterday’s hearing.
District Attorney Scott Andreassi said more evidence will be supplied at Crissman’s trial date.
Crissman was originally committed to the Armstrong County Jail July 23 on a bench warrant for violating parole.
A trustee with two other inmates at the Armstrong County Jail, Crissman escaped at about 6:30AM July 30 and was on the run from police until the next morning.
Monday, Armstrong County Prison Board President Richard Fink recommended an external investigator be hired to investigate the escape.
At the time, Prison Board members – including Andreassi, Sheriff Bill Rupert, Controller Myra Miller and Fink’s fellow commissioners Bob Bower and David Battaglia – did not discuss which firm they hope to select, but they might have a decision at this morning’s regular Prison Board meeting if proposals are received.
“There are no boundaries on this investigation. We literally want everything looked at – policies, procedures, personnel. Everything that occurred prior to and including July 30,” Andreassi said Monday. “We will go to where this investigation takes us – I think that’s essential if we’re going to restore the trust that needs to be restored in our prison.”
More decisions regarding the jail’s trustee program are also anticipated.
Crissman is back in the Armstrong County Jail this morning after being in the Butler County Jail since his capture - led by Pennsylvania State Police troopers and Sheriff Rupert and other deputies following the preliminary hearing.
Local News | KP NewsDesk August 13, 2015
By Just sayin, August 13, 2015 @ 2:39 PM
Back in Kittanning Jail. That’s scary…
By worthingtonman, August 13, 2015 @ 6:45 PM
I think they need a special prosecutor. The county can not afford to lose this trial or dole out one of their famous plea agreements. I clearly have little faith in our prosecutors office as should most after the slap on the wrists they they handed the Kittanning Four for beating an unconscious man to death in the streets. We all need to pay extra attention come election time. People like James Sullivan and Tammy Long deserve it.