Blakeslee man found not guilty of assault charges

A Carbon County jury panel deliberated for less than an hour last week before finding a Blakeslee man not guilty to two counts of simple assault.

Robert Sabo, 53, was charged by Kidder Township police for an incident that occurred on July 27, 2008, at the Hickory Inn Motel along SR534. Police identified the two victims as Orville R. Coley and Richard J. Maurone.

Police said Coley was staying at the motel and was vender at the Blues Festival being held at the Big Boulder ski area.

On the day of the incident Coley went to the office at the motel to ask if he could stay longer than the 3 p.m. checkout time. He wanted to stay until 9 p.m. No one was at the office so he let a note and his cell phone number.

Later he received a call from Sabo's wife, who was manager of the motel, saying he could not stay the extra time.

Coley asked Maurone to drive him to the motel so he could get his items from his room.

Maurone drove to the office with Coley in the vehicle and Sabo appeared at the door holding a .22-caliber rifle. The two men immediately left the scene and reported the incident to police.

Defense Atty. Paul Levy told the jury at no time did Sabo ever point the weapon at either man nor made any type of threat by word or physical action.

Sabo was also charged with two counts of harassment, as summary offenses. Presiding Judge David W. Addy found him not guilty of the harassment counts.