House arrest OK’d for elderly man in homicide
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Authorities in western Pennsylvania say an elderly funeral director charged in the shooting death of a contractor last month will be held on house arrest pending trial.
Eighty-nine-year-old William Welsh of Homestead has been ordered to stand trial in Allegheny County in the July 26 shooting death of 58-year-old William Menni of McKees Rocks.
Defense attorney Frank Walker, who says his client acted in self-defense, asked Friday that his client be allowed to return home, citing his age. Prosecutors said they wouldn’t object as long as certain conditions were met.
The judge said Welsh will be held on electronic monitoring and must surrender all weapons and have no contact with the victim’s family. He will be allowed to leave only for medical appointments, religious services or visits with his attorney.