Pagan club member, victim’s wife testify in 2nd day of beating trial

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@your.mvi.com
“I’m running to go to my husband because they’re attacking him and I thought they were going to kill him,” Michelle Harris testified Wednesday as she described her actions the night Troy Harris was assaulted by seven Pagan Motorcycle Club members.
In the second day of the trial for two of the seven men accused in the April 18 attack in the Charleroi Slovak Club, she testified while watching surveillance video that captured much of the assault.
Washington County Judge John F. DiSalle is presiding over the case.
Matthew Vasquez, 31, of Monessen and Joseph Olinsky III, 46, of McKeesport are accused of attempted homicide and aggravated assault in Troy Harris’ beating. Four other Pagans accepted plea deals.
The seventh man is Paul Cochran, 54, of North Charleroi, who also testified Wednesday.
Michelle Harris testified she was hit and knocked to the ground as she tried to reach her husband.
“I could only see my husband on the ground and then legs kicking him,” Michelle Harris said. “I crawled between the legs and got to him. He was laying in blood and vomit and they were kicking him.”
Washington County Deputy District Attorney Jason Walsh asked, “so they continued to kick him as he lay in blood and vomit?”
“Yes,” Michelle Harris said. “I threw myself on top of him and said something like ‘Really?’ or ‘Are you kidding me?’”

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