Former Uniontown police officer acquitted of assaulting man at Menallen house party
A former Uniontown police officer accused of assaulting a man while off-duty at a house party in Menallen Township was found not guilty on all charges during a jury trial this week.
The Fayette County jury on Tuesday acquitted Nicholas Zocco of one felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanor charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident on July 8, 2023.
Zocco, 33, of Perryopolis, was accused of punching Zachary Williams in the face twice during a party at a home in the 200 block of North Mill Street. According to German Township police, who filed the charges in the case, Zocco was leaving the party following an argument, but later returned when the altercation took place.
Williams, who fell and hit his head, was hospitalized and suffered a nasal bone fracture, contusion above the left eye and a small hematoma on the right side of his head. He told investigators he did not recall what transpired immediately leading up to the incident, while Zocco said he acted in self defense, according to court documents.
Zocco, who had been a Uniontown police officer since 2015, was initially placed on paid administrative leave and later resigned from the department in September 2023. His defense attorney, Shane Gannon, said Zocco felt vindicated by the jury’s verdict.
“Nick had maintained his innocence from the beginning and said he acted in self defense, and we’re glad the jury listened and agreed,” Gannon said.
The state Attorney General’s office prosecuted the case because of Zocco’s employment as a police officer at the time of the incident.