DA: Bail bondsman was justified in fatal Nanticoke shooting

Bob Kalinowski, The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
·2 min read

Mar. 23—A bail bondsman was justified when he fatally shot a man last month inside a Nanticoke home while trying to take him into custody on a court-ordered arrest warrant, Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis ruled Monday.

Thomas Worthy Painter, 26, who was upset that the bondsman interrupted him while trying to inject drugs, pressed a rifle to the chest of the bondsman immediately prior to the fatal shooting, Salavantis said in a news release.

The bondsman attempted "to reason with Painter to no avail" and fired one shot at Painter while Painter was pushing him backward, the district attorney said.

Painter suffered a wound to his abdomen and died at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre hospital shortly after arrival on Feb. 18.

Painter had been scheduled for a bail revocation hearing the following day in Luzerne County Court following a sixth arrest since April, most involving drug charges.

Painter's attorney Larry Kansky has said Painter lived with his grandmother at the Fairview Drive house and she put up her house as collateral for Painter's bail with AA Bail Bonds in Wilkes-Barre. Kansky said he learned Painter had called the bail bonds company asking that his grandmother no longer be held responsible for his bail, prompting the visit by the bondsman to take Painter into custody.

Salavantis said Painter and a family member had signed a contract with the bail company that gave consent to search his residence and take him into custody if he violated his bail conditions.

The district attorney said the investigation revealed the bail bondsman was "invited" into the home by a family member.

Painter had been using illegal drugs and was threatening to flee the area, Salavantis said.

The bondsman, who has not been named, confronted Painter as was attempting to inject drugs, the district attorney said.

Painter asked the bondsman to allow him to inject the drugs and the bondsman refused, Salavantis said.

Painter then "vaulted" over a chair to attack the bondsman, who shot Painter with a Taser stun gun, Salavantis said.

Salavantis said Painter quickly got up and retrieved a rifle and pressed it to the chest of the bondsman.

The bondsman attempted to "reason with" Painter while being pushed backward and pulled his gun to shoot Painter.

The bondsman shot Painter one time and immediately called 911, Salavantis said.

Salavantis said the chain of events was confirmed by a witness who was in the house.

"Based on the investigation, the shooting was determined to be justified," Salavantis said.

Contact the writer:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055; @cvbobkal

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