May 17, 2019 3 min read

A Carmichaels man who broke into a Nemacolin woman’s home in the early morning of New Year’s Day was sentenced this week to three years of probation.

Edward William Staley, 19, of 76 Cumberland Village, had entered the home of Hannah Hughes on Bliss Avenue while she was across the street at her parents’ home celebrating the New Year.

Her mother, Deborah Hughes, saw Staley – a stranger to them – walking through her daughter’s home. When Hannah ran back to her house to investigate, Staley exited the front door. Hannah, using her 10 years of karate lessons, took him to the ground.

According to police reports, Staley tried to fight back, grabbing her neck and leaving scratch marks, but Hannah was able to keep him pinned until police arrived. While on the ground, Staley started foaming at the mouth, vomiting, and becoming unresponsive, as if overdosing, according to the criminal complaint. He was taken to Uniontown Hospital.

Staley initially was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault, criminal mischief, prowling at night and harassment. As part of his plea agreement, the burglary and simple assault charges were dropped. He had posted a $10,000 bond.

The Hughes family had been pretty shook up after that night. Hannah said the incident “changed our life.” She said they immediately got security features in their homes the next day and check them “constantly.”

“It’s a whole entire lifestyle change,” she said. “It’ opened up a new part of reality that we weren’t aware of – a whole new source of anxiety.”

Hannah said she was disappointed by the sentence, saying that she hoped Staley would get a short period of incarceration for his crimes.

“Just enough time to put him in the mindset that this is not something I can do and get away with,” she said. “It feels like he’s getting a slap on the wrist. It doesn’t feel like enough.”

In addition to the three years of probation, Greene County Judge Lou Dayich sentenced him to pay a $50 fine and complete 70 hours of community service. Dayich said in the order that since Staley is attending classes to get his GED, those class hours will count toward his community service. The order states that if he completes his GED, the court will deem the 70 hours also completed.

Overall, Hannah said she and her family are glad no one, including Staley, was seriously hurt that day.

“Hopefully he can straighten himself out,” she said. “I know he’s young and has time to change it, and I really hope that he does.”