Once again, the trial of Ray Shetler Jr.is being delayed. The former New Florence man, who is now 38 years old and listed with a Saltsburg address, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and single counts of resisting arrest and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. His trial was to begin tomorrow, but last week Westmoreland County Judge Meaghan Bilik-DeFazio granted another request for continuance, and it is now scheduled to begin on April 17th.
Shetler was found hiding in his girlfriend’s mobile home outside of Seward in December of 2021 after he skipped a probation hearing. He brawled with police officers and Westmoreland County detectives and was struck in the eye by a stun gun. One of the officers suffered serious injuries in the fight, including a concussion and a torn rotator cuff.
Shetler has claimed he was attacked by police in retaliation for his acquittal on murder charges after he gunned down St. Clair Township police officer Lloyd Reed Jr. in 2015. He was acquitted of murder charges but was found guilty of charges related to his escape attempt after the shooting.
The latest delay makes five postponements of his trial.
