Burgettstown man charged in death of daughter’s ex
James Bongiorni walks out of district court Tuesday with his attorney, Robert DelGreco. Behind them are McDonald police Chief Mark Dorsey and Officer Ross Youree, who filed a homicide charge against Bongiorni.
James Bongiorni walks out of district court Tuesday with his attorney, Robert DelGreco. Behind them are McDonald police Chief Mark Dorsey and Officer Ross Youree, who filed a homicide charge against Bongiorni.
A Burgettstown man who his defense attorney called “a pillar of the community” was charged Tuesday with homicide in the April 27 shooting that killed an Imperial man outside a Burgettstown home.
James Bongiorni, 68, of 24 Highland Ave., was arraigned by District Judge Traci McDonald on the homicide charge filed by McDonald police Officer Ross Youree in the death of 39-year-old Brian James Wilbert. Wilbert was pronounced dead of a gunshot wound at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh hours after the incident. He had been shot in the torso. The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide.
The shooting occurred in front of 5 Hillcrest Ave. One shot was fired. Wilbert was reported to have gone to the address with a friend to see his ex-girlfriend, Darlo Bongiorni. James Bongiorni was at the home to protect his daughter and grandson, defense attorney Robert DelGreco said after the arraignment. DelGreco said there was a long-standing exchange of calls and texts as well as calls to the 911 center before Wilbert showed up at the house just after 9 p.m. with a knife.
Police were called to a disturbance at 5 Hillcrest with reports of shots being fired. James Bongiorni was reportedly overheard by emergency medical personnel saying “I’m going to jail.” A handgun registered to James Bongiorni was recovered at the scene.
In 2008, Darlo Bongiorni filed a petition for a protection-from-abuse order against Wilbert in Washington County Court, accusing him of threatening and physically abusing her and of vandalism at the family’s car lot.
A final PFA against Wilbert was granted. She petitioned the court in 2011 to withdraw the order.
In 2012, she asked the court to award her sole custody of their child, citing Wilbert’s criminal record and describing him as violent.
DelGreco said the shooting was in self-defense. He said Bongiorni, who owns several businesses in the area, is a former Burgettstown police officer and constable.
“He has no prior record and is a former police officer,” DelGreco said.
Wilbert had a extensive criminal history that included crimes of violence, DelGreco added.
“Make no mistake, the defendant (Bongiorni) acted properly,” he added. “It was a justifiable homicide.”
James Bongiorni turned himself in to police at the district judge’s office. He was taken to Washington County jail. Bond was not set.
A preliminary hearing will be held at 10:30 a.m. July 22 in Washington County Courthouse before McDonald.