Attempted homicide charges added against man stemming from Irwin bar fight

An Irwin man charged with assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of simple assault in connection with a stabbing was arraigned Friday on an additional charge of attempted homicide.

Joshua James Robison, 26, had his bond doubled from $75,000 to $150,000 by District Judge Wayne Gongaware during his arraignment in connection with the Dec. 28 assault of two brothers at Brandy’s on Main in Irwin.

Borough officer Corey Stanoszek charged Robison with stabbing David Kozak, 27, also of Irwin, who was taken by ambulance to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. Family members said Kozak required multiple surgeries.

Police allege Robison punched Kozak’s older brother, Dan Kozak, 31, inside the bar and David followed him outside, where he was stabbed in the neck.

According to police reports, Robison was asked to leave the bar earlier in the evening, but returned shortly afterward, when the assaults occurred.

“I was in there with my brother, and he (Robison) was in there, too, and (Robison) was asked to leave earlier,” Kozak said. “He came back in a short while later and sucker punched me from behind, knocking me out on the floor. And when I ‘came to,’ a friend was over top of me … waking me, saying David was stabbed, so I went outside to check on him.”

Dan Kozak also was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Kozak said Robison fled after the assaults.

Police reported in court documents that Robison was arrested without incident at his apartment on Center Highway.

Police said in court documents Robison maintains “he was protecting himself” and “felt threatened” by Daniel Kozak earlier in the evening.

Attempted homicide is a first degree felony and carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

An attorney for Robison, who has been in the county prison since his Dec. 29 arrest, was not listed in court documents. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Feb. 24.