Man Accused Of Attacking Former Coach To Go To Trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A former Sharon High School football player accused of attacking his former coach will go to trial.
Joseph Koscinski, 38, made no comments as he was taken away from the magistrate's office. Kocinski was held over for trial for the attack and beating of Sharon High School football coach Jim Wildman.
Earlier this month on Aug. 11, Wildman was sitting in his living room watching golf on a Sunday afternoon.
Police say Kocinski showed up screaming in the front yard. He banged on the storm door, forced his way in and attacked the coach, saying he wanted to see his blood.
Authorities say Kocinski is accused of choking and biting the coach, who needed 60 stitches and plastic surgery to repair part of his ear that was torn off during the assault.
Several neighbors and an off-duty policeman pulled Kocinski off the 65-year-old Wildman and held him until police arrived.
The next day, Wildman showed up at practice telling his players he was beat-up but not beaten.
Police later discovered that Koscinski had played for the coach 20 years ago.
"We know what happened at this point in time, but we don't know why it happened," said Chief Mike Menster, of the Sharon Police Department. "So right now, I don't want to speculate on a motive."
Wildman was the head football coach at Sharon High School for 25 years until he retired in 2002. He was rehired by the district this year.
He didn't want to talk on camera, but said he is recovering from his injuries and has resumed coaching. Meanwhile, Kocinski's attorney asked the judge to reduce bond and put his client on house arrest.
"His attorney made a request for a bond reduction that was not granted by a judge," said Chief Menster. "So his bond remains at $200,000 and he remains at the Mercer County Jail."
Kocinski is expected to go on trial in a few months.
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