Constables Accused Of Dragging Woman Out Of Home By Her Feet

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Two state constables are facing criminal charges after a Munhall woman was allegedly dragged out of her home by her feet.

It happened when constables Christian Constantini and Michael Lowman went to serve a warrant for an unpaid parking ticket back in October.

The homeowner, Esther Peyton, told investigators she tried to pay the constables the $104 she owed, but that one of them threw the check on the ground.

She says she was handcuffed and dragged out while her 10-year-old daughter and 5-year-old grandson were in the house.

But the attorney for Constantini tells KDKA's Kym Gable his client claims Peyton was combative, even kicking them during the incident. Attorney Blaine Jones believes Constantini followed protocol.

"Well, I think they're trying to justify the simple assault charge, but if you have an arrest and the person refuses to abide by the instructions," said Jones. "Any police officer will tell you they are going to use the reasonable force necessary to execute the arrest warrant under the law."

When the pair arrived at Peyton's Timberwood Drive home, she called her cousin, West Homestead Police Chief Christopher Deasy, and asked him for assistance.

She says the constables refused to talk to Deasy and knocked the phone to the ground.

"Christian has no duty to talk to anyone who is purportedly or allegedly the chief of police. He's there to do his job and we will be fighting vigorously against these charges," said Jones.

Peyton's adult daughter, Kimberly, answered the door at the family's home Monday night.

She told KDKA "We are not interested in talking right now because it was so traumatic."

She said she and her mother do plan to be in the courtroom when the constables face a judge for their preliminary hearings.

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