JUDGE REJECTS MURRYSVILLE MAN’S PLEA BARGAIN

A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday rejected a plea bargain for a Murrysville man accused of the attempted murder of his mother. Police said in February, 32 year old Andrew Farbarik stabbed his mother two times during an argument at her home. Lisa Farbarik testified Tuesday she was not seriously injured and did not feel threatened by her son, who she said suffers from mental illness. Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Kreeger said the deal that would have allowed Farbarik to plead guilty to lesser charges and serve four years on probation was inconsistent with other cases where prosecutors insisted on jail time for defendants with mental health issues who are accused of violence.