Stabbing victim testifies in Rialto attempted murder trial

Joseph Williams told a Westmoreland County jury he had no memory of the seconds that preceded a violent encounter outside the former Rialto Cafe in downtown Greensburg that left him hospitalized with as many as 10 stab wounds.

Williams, 24, testified Tuesday during the second day in the trial of the Jeannette man accused of his attempted murder that in the early morning hours of Nov. 24, 2022 he started the violent altercation inside of the nightclub portion of the bar as he attempted to help a female friend as she spoke with Anthony J. Sharp.

“She gave me a look of discomfort so I put my back to him then headbutted him. I threw the first headbutt. It was a lapse of judgement,” Williams testified. “I don’t remember anything after the headbutt until we were out on the street and I was told I was stabbed.”

Prosecutors contend Sharp, 23, of Jeannette, used a pocket knife to stab and slash Williams as both men continued their fight after a previous confrontation moments earlier prompted the evacuation of the Rialto. Sharp is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.

Defense attorney Stephen Colafella presented Williams with medical records from the hospital that determined hours after the fight he had a blood alcohol level of .207%, more than two times a driver in Pennsylvania is considered to be intoxicated. Williams, who testified he spent hours drinking with friends at his home and two other bars before arriving at the Rialto, conceded he was drunk when he first confronted Sharp.

The incident ultimately led to the shuttering of the Rialto, which 11 months earlier was the site of a shooting that left two men, including a bystander, wounded. The bar last year was declared a public nuisance and was ordered by a county judge to close until it was sold.

The century-old business reopened with a new owner and new name earlier this year.

Williams’ friends were among a series of witnesses to testify during the second day of the trial and told jurors they believed the confrontation had ended only to be rekindled by Sharp as they left the Rialto.

Macey Ebersole, 23, formerly of Greensburg, testified Sharp and his group of friends were unprovoked when he confronted Williams.

“Joey took a step on the street. It was chaotic and I heard someone from behind them said (Anthony Sharp) was going to beat him up. The next thing I knew was Joey was on the street and (Sharp) was stabbing him,” Ebersole testified. “I just remember them splitting apart. Everything moved so fast.”

Williams was stabbed multiple times during the melee, according prosecutors.

Sharp is expected to claim Williams was the aggressor and that he used the knife in self defense to fend off his attacker.

Testimony in the case will continue on Wednesday.