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Belle Vernon man convicted of third-degree murder in Rostraver road rage killing

By Mike Jones 2 min read
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Anthony Hairston

A Fayette County man who killed another motorist after firing gunshots at her vehicle in Rostraver Township during a road rage incident on New Year’s Day 2022 was convicted Thursday of third-degree murder.

Anthony Hairston, 29, of Belle Vernon, was found guilty on the lesser murder charge, along with evidence tampering and drug charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Holly Vadella.

Hairston was driving with friends to a local bar after leaving a New Year’s Eve party about 1 a.m. Jan. 1, 2022, when his vehicle came upon Vadella’s slower moving car on Rostraver Road, prompting him to attempt to pass. Investigators said Vadella swerved into Hairston’s lane, causing him to become angry before pulling out a gun and firing two shots toward her car.

Shortly after, Rostraver police located Vadella’s body inside her vehicle on the side of Rostraver Road near Virginia Drive in the township. Vadella, 59, of Rostraver Township, was an employee of California University of Pennsylvania at the time of her killing.

“From the beginning, this incident was an act of senseless and unprovoked violence,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli said in a written statement. “I hope this verdict offers some peace to the family of Holly Vadella.”

The jury deliberated about two hours before returning its verdict Thursday night following the four-day trial before Judge Christopher Feliciani in Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. Feliciani will sentence Hariston within the next three months, Ziccarelli said.

Assistant District Attorneys Leo Ciaramitaro and Anthony Iannamorelli prosecuted the case. Hairston’s defense attorney, Brian Aston, could not be reached for comment Friday to discuss the verdict.

Hairston is also facing charges of witness intimidation, which were pending the adjudication of the homicide case.

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