Defense says new video backs self-defense claims in Rialto stabbing

A defense attorney claims new video shown to a Westmoreland County jury on Thursday supports the claim that his client was justified when he repeatedly stabbed another person during a melee outside of the former Rialto Bar and Bistro in downtown Greensburg.

The video depicts the moments after Joseph Williams was stabbed at least 10 times during an altercation in the early morning hours of Nov. 24, 2022.

Williams is shown on top of the man accused of his attempted murder while others attempt to pull him away.

Anthony J. Sharp, 23, of Jeannette testified he acted in self-defense and wildly flailed a pocket knife at his attacker during the alleged assault. Sharp, who is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, was the last witness to testify in his trial.

Jury deliberations in the case are expected to begin Friday morning following closing arguments from attorneys.

The prosecution contends Sharp violently attacked Williams after the bar was evacuated moments earlier in response to a prolonged physical altercation between the two men inside the nightclub portion of the business.

Williams claims Sharp was the aggressor.

Sharp told jurors he was jumped by Williams as he left the building.

“I was looking at my phone to call my mother to pick me up. And before I could ever finish he came after me,” Sharp testified. “He just tackled me and I went to the ground and hit the back of my head on the concrete.”

He said he was able to get back on his feet but was immediately backed into a wall by Williams. Sharp said he was again taken to the ground where he picked up the knife he had previously held, along with his wallet, keys and phone, before the attack.

“I’m down on the ground and he’s (Williams) choking me. There’s nothing I can do to get away from him. He was just manhandling me,” Sharp testified. “I knew the second time I hit the concrete I was in trouble. I was flailing. There’s nothing I can do. I knew I had to do something to help myself and I remember just flailing to get him off of me.”

Prosecutors earlier in the trial played a series of videos from both inside and outside of the Rialto. Investigators testified none of the videos from the Rialto or security cameras near the bar showed clear images of the fight between Sharp and Williams.

Defense attorney Stephen Colafella said the new video, shot from a covered courtyard that linked two separate sections of the Rialto, was obtained by the defense.

There was no testimony as to the origin of the video.

Colafella said the video backs testimony from Sharp and other defense witnesses who told jurors that Williams was the aggressor as he lay atop Sharp during the stabbing.

Assistant District Attorney Katie Ranker said neither prosecutors nor police viewed the defense video before it was played in court on Thursday.

Sharp, during questioning by Ranker, conceded the new video did not depict the portion of the fight when Williams was stabbed.

A series of prosecution witnesses testified Sharp initiated the final portion of the fight just before the stabbing.

Michael Gurniek, the final prosecution witness, testified Thursday morning that Sharp and Williams were about 10 feet apart on the street when Sharp walked over with a knife in hand.

“It was a tussle,” Gurniek told jurors. “They were going at each other. Joey (Williams) was being stabbed before they were on the ground.”