Monroeville man being held at Allegheny County Jail dies
A Monroeville man who had been held at Allegheny County Jail since Sept. 10 died Wednesday.
Anthony G. Talotta, 57, was pronounced dead at 10:46 p.m. at UPMC Mercy, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office.
His death is being investigated by the office. No cause was provided.
The medical examiner’s office said Talotta was taken to the hospital after being found unresponsive in the jail on Tuesday.
Jesse Geleynse, a jail spokesman, said that a medical emergency was called for an incarcerated man earlier Tuesday, but he was assessed by an attending physician, who cleared him to remain on the unit.
Later that night, Geleynse said, there was a second medical emergency, and the man — identified by the medical examiner’s office as Talotta — was taken to the hospital.
The next day, Geleynse said, hospital staff called the jail and asked that his emergency contact be notified.
“At the same time, efforts were undertaken to have the individual’s bond reduced by the court so they could be released from custody and allowed visitation from loved ones,” Geleynse said.
An order was issued, and Talotta was released from custody at 2:30 p.m.
According to court records, Talotta was arrested on Sept. 9 and charged with aggravated assault, prohibited use of an offensive weapon and simple assault.
Police said in a criminal complaint that Talotta resided at a home run by RMPC Services, and that he has been diagnosed with severe mental retardation, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety and depression.
A criminal complaint filed against Talotta said he was cooking in the home’s kitchen when he entered the living room and poured a pot of boiling water on a staff member.
When the employee tried to run away from Talotta, police said, Talotta stabbed him in the hand with a knife.
Talotta was being held on a $1,000 bond. The jail said if Talotta had posted $100, he would have been released. He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in the case on Monday.
A message left with his attorney was not returned Friday afternoon.
Paula Reed Ward is a TribLive reporter covering federal and Allegheny County courts. She joined the Trib in 2020 after spending nearly 17 years at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where she was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team. She is the author of “Death by Cyanide.” She can be reached at pward@triblive.com.
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