Anger over 'snitching' caused man to kill woman in Carnegie, police say

A homeless man covered in blood told county police he punched a woman until she stopped moving because he was angry that she was “snitching” on him, police said in a court filing.

Allegheny County Police charged Joseph Beraducci, 29, with one count of criminal homicide on Sunday, alleging he killed Barbara McKenna, 64, under the Mansfield Boulevard Bridge in Carnegie.

Police say Beraducci agreed to speak with them without an attorney. He said he knew McKenna as “Aunt Babs.”

According to a criminal complaint, Beraducci told police he went under the bridge where McKenna and another man were staying early Sunday to check on them.

While Beraducci was there, police say, the other man suffered a seizure. Beraducci said he helped the man by giving him CPR until police and paramedics came around 4 a.m. and took the man to a hospital.

Two Scott Township medics said they saw McKenna sitting in her walker under the bridge and she was not injured. They also saw Beraducci there, and he also was uninjured, the complaint states.

Beraducci said he and McKenna were hanging out and drinking when they got into an argument over his belief that McKenna was a snitch for the police, the complaint states. He said McKenna had started to hit and scratch him and that she used a knife, but he did not appear to be injured and did not report any injuries, the complaint said.

Beraducci told police he continually slapped McKenna, injuring her as he defended himself, the complaint states. Beraducci said he became enraged and admitted to punching McKenna until she stopped moving, after which he began to perform CPR to help her.

A passing motorist reported unknown trouble in the area around 6:20 a.m. Carnegie officers found Beraducci and McKenna under the bridge. McKenna was suffering from facial wounds and not responding.

Officers said Beraducci had McKenna’s head in his lap, performing what he called CPR. McKenna was given care but died at the scene.

A judge cited Beraducci being homeless in denying bail when he was arraigned Sunday, according to court records. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

Beraducci’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30.