Son Accused In Fatal Shooting Over Cell Phone Bill Headed To Trial
NEW CASTLE (KDKA) -- A Lawrence County man accused in connection with the shooting death of his father over a cell phone bill has been held for trial.
Police say 28-year-old Michael Burrelli is accused of fatally shooting his father multiple times after the two got into an argument.
According to investigators, Michael Burrelli was working at a family-owned garage in Union Township last month when he and his father got into an argument and a fight broke out.
Authorities say Michael Burrelli told police that when his father knocked him down, he allegedly pulled a gun and fired several shots.
Burrelli also worked a New Castle doughnut shop with his father.
The defense claims 52-year-old Charles Burrelli knocked his son down several times, and hinted that it might be a case of self-defense.
Sources in New Castle say Charles Burrelli could be mean and abusive.
"We hear that and we hear the weight of the father to be about 400 pounds, and we're looking into our own investigation of what appropriate defenses we're going to assert," said Dennis Elisco, the defense attorney.
A state trooper also testified that Michael Burrelli put his father's body in a steel tub and loaded into a jeep, allegedly planning to dispose of the remains at Moraine State Park.
The defense says details on why a son would kill his father will come out in the trial.
"It's quite a unique set of circumstances and we just have a job to do, and we're all going to move forward with the case," said Elisco.
The prosecution says they have video surveillance of Michael Burrelli buying bleach to clean up the crime scene. He remains in the Lawrence County Jail without bond.
RELATED LINKS:
Police Say Man Found Dead Was Killed By Son (8/23/13)
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