Defendant waives hearing in daytime Pottsville shooting that killed dog

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Frank Andruscavage, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read
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Mar. 25—POTTSVILLE — A city man charged with shooting and injuring a man and killing a dog in the heart of Pottsville in January waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Seth Clayton Howard, 34, of 1711 W. Market St., was scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley to answer charges of one felony count each of aggravated assault and aggravated cruelty to animals; 10 misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person; and one misdemeanor count each of simple assault and disorderly conduct.

After lengthy discussions between his attorney, Gilbert Ambler, of Carlisle, and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bench, Howard decided to waive the charges to Schuylkill County Court.

Howard was charged by Pottsville police Cpl. Renee Truscott stemming from an incident around 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 in the 300 block of West Market Street.

In arrest papers, Truscott said Howard intentionally fired several shots from his Glock 23 .40-caliber handgun at a pit bull, killing it. One of the shots fired by Howard struck the owner of the dog, William Clark Jr., 35, of Pottsville, in the right thigh.

Clark suffered serious injuries and was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, for treatment. He was subsequently released.

After firing the shots, Howard set down the weapon and was immediately taken into custody.

Truscott said Howard's actions put several people in the area, and pedestrians and passing motorists, in danger and caused alarm and risk to residents.

When police examined the firearm, it held one round in the chamber and two rounds in the magazine. Ten spent shell casings were recovered at the scene, Truscott said.

Howard remains free on $75,000 straight cash bail pending future court action.

During Howard's arraignment, Reiley placed a stipulation on his bail saying he is not allowed to "purchase, possess or procure" a firearm.

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