The man accused of killing the Tyrone Neptune Fire Company Chief Ray Stringer was in court yesterday in Cambria County.
However, his appearance involved charges unrelated to the August death of the longtime fire chief. George Lightcap of Nanty Glo was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Mary Zanghi on charges involving a late July domestic incident.
After his arraignment yesterday on the unrelated charges, Lightcap’s preliminary hearing on criminal homicide and other charges in Stringer’s death was scheduled for October 6 at 1 p.m.
Originally, the hearing was delayed while he sought private council. Attorneys Arthur McQuillan and Robert Gleason of Johnstown were hired to represent the 29-year-old man.
Late yesterday morning, Gleason explained both the defense and Cambria County prosecutors were waiting for the results of “autopsy protocol and other medical information” before scheduling the preliminary hearing. Gleason indicated that early October was the soonest date a hearing could be scheduled based on when the information would be available. Early yesterday afternoon, Judge Zanghi’s office released information indicating the Oct. 6 date.
Lightcap is accused of beating Stringer during an altercation that happened at the Nanty Glo VFW in the early morning hours of Aug. 19. According to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by The Daily Herald, Stringer was lying on a floor in the foyer area of the VFW when Nanty Glo Borough Police arrived on the scene at 1:18 a.m. Emergency medical personnel were already at the scene treating Stringer when police arrived. The investigating officer said he observed a large amount of blood on and around the man on the floor.
The Nanty Glo police interviewed several witnesses outside that were in the vicinity of the VFW at the time of the incident. The witnesses gave a description of the man and said he ran from the VFW.
The criminal complaint said Lightcap’s sister, Michele, indicated she had ordered Stringer to leave the bar. She said her brother had verbal exchanges with Stringer prior to the incident. When Stringer went to leave the bar, he struck Lightcap.
The Nanty Glo man then followed Stringer into the foyer of the bar, where according to the affidavit, he allegedly struck Stringer repeatedly on or about the face while the victim was on the ground.
Stringer was airlifted by helicopter to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and died there a little more than an hour after the initial call to 9-1-1.
Lightcap was taken into custody later on the morning of the incident. He was given his rights and told he was being arrested for criminal homicide. Police said Lightcap made statements, which included, “I can’t believe that I am in handcuffs right now when I’m not the one who started this. Look at my face.”
During a press conference on the day of the incident, an assistant Cambria County district attorney indicated Lightcap had also been injured as a result of the incident. Other than the accused’s comments and the report he had been struck by Stringer, Lightcap’s injuries or the extent of his treatment are not explained in the criminal complaint.
The Cambria County Coroner, Dennis Kwiatkowski, ruled that Stringer died from asphyxiation by blunt force trauma.
Stringer had been in Nanty Glo as a delegate at an annual firefighter’s convention. The incident occurred away from the convention activities, according to event officials. Chief Stringer was laid to rest and received fireman’s procession honors after funeral services on Aug. 23.
Lightcap is being held without bail on homicide and aggravated assault charges in the Cambria County Prison.
His arraignment yesterday involved charges of simple assault, criminal trespass and criminal mischief stemming from a July 28 domestic case that happened in Nanty Glo. According to his attorney, Lightcap’s hearing in that case was continued until September 26 at the request of prosecutors. Attorney Gleason said prosecutors when still in the process of gathering witnesses. Bail in the domestic case was set at $10,000 unsecured.
