A 26-year-old Duncansville man has waived his preliminary hearing regarding charges stemming from his capture the day after he left his Snyder Township workplace when prison officials arrived for a routine check.
Shawn Michael Hinterberger was subject to electronic monitoring when prison officials arrived at P G Recycling on Route 220 on the morning of May 4. Hinterberger went out a back door and was chased by a sheriff’s deputy. Hinterberger eventually got away and was captured the next afternoon in Logan Township after allegedly displaying a weapon and threatening to use it. He was shot by a Logan Township police officer and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Hinterberger is facing numerous charges including attempted homicide. His attorney, Steven Passarello of Altoona, confirmed Hinterberger waived his right to a preliminary hearing at Magisterial District Judge Fred Miller’s office on Wednesday.
Passarello said Hinterberger faces a formal arraignment in Blair County Court that is scheduled for sometime in August.
The Logan officer who shot Hinterberger was put on leave and subject to an investigation. It was determined the officer’s actions were justified and he later returned to the Logan Police force.
Passarello said he is waiting to receive discovery such as forensic evidence and statements from the District Attorney’s office. He said he plans to have an expert review the evidence once he receives it.
He said where the case goes depends on whether the evidence supports the Commonwealth’s version of the events surrounding Hinterberger’s capture or the defense’s version of the events.
Whether the case goes to trial or a plea is worked out would most likely not happen until after the formal arraignment and the review of the evidence by the defense expert. Passarello said prosecutors have up to 30 days after the formal arraignment to provide the defense with the discovery.
Hinterberger is still recovering from his injuries at Valley View Home and remains in the custody of Blair County on $1 million bail.
