Homeowner Self Defense Shooting
By: Lynn Adler
Updated: June 14, 2012
ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP, BLAIR COUNTY - In a statement, the Blair County District Attorney's office said no charges will be filed against Timothy Lepore, the Allegheny Township homeowner who shot and killed Brandon Zeth, 24.
The District Attorney's office said they will not pursue charges because the case falls under the state's newly revised Castle Doctrine.
"It's a tragic situation on both ends. A family lost their son and Mr. Lepore has to live with the fact that he killed somebody," Lepore's attorney, Steven P. Passarello said. "But on the other hand, he's relieved no criminal charges were filed and just wants to move on with his life."
Lepore shot Zeth three times through a bedroom window shortly after midnight January 14.
Investigators determined Zeth was drunk standing on Lepore's back porch, banging on the windows, demanding to be let inside.
They said Zeth mistakenly believed he was outside his girlfriend's house, a similar looking home next-door.
The Blair County DA said Lepore was completely within his rights to shoot Zeth, who died as a result of his wounds a month later.
Lepore told police he thought Zeth was an intruder and was acting in self defense.
After six month investigation, the District Attorney agrees.
"As the law is written, Mr. Lepore was well within his rights to do exactly what he did." Passarello said. "And what he did under the law is not a crime."
In an interview days after the January shooting, Zeth's father, Don Zeth, said he thinks it's wrong that the Castle Doctrine could shield Lepore from charges.
"He was going to his girlfriend's house," Don Zeth said. "He was intoxicated. He went up the wrong deck. He pounded on the wrong window and was shot."
The newly amended Castle Doctrine is so new, the Zeth case is the first time it's been cited in Blair County.
Attempts to reach the Zeth family Thursday for a response were unanswered.
The District Attorney's office said they will not pursue charges because the case falls under the state's newly revised Castle Doctrine.
"It's a tragic situation on both ends. A family lost their son and Mr. Lepore has to live with the fact that he killed somebody," Lepore's attorney, Steven P. Passarello said. "But on the other hand, he's relieved no criminal charges were filed and just wants to move on with his life."
Lepore shot Zeth three times through a bedroom window shortly after midnight January 14.
Investigators determined Zeth was drunk standing on Lepore's back porch, banging on the windows, demanding to be let inside.
They said Zeth mistakenly believed he was outside his girlfriend's house, a similar looking home next-door.
The Blair County DA said Lepore was completely within his rights to shoot Zeth, who died as a result of his wounds a month later.
Lepore told police he thought Zeth was an intruder and was acting in self defense.
After six month investigation, the District Attorney agrees.
"As the law is written, Mr. Lepore was well within his rights to do exactly what he did." Passarello said. "And what he did under the law is not a crime."
In an interview days after the January shooting, Zeth's father, Don Zeth, said he thinks it's wrong that the Castle Doctrine could shield Lepore from charges.
"He was going to his girlfriend's house," Don Zeth said. "He was intoxicated. He went up the wrong deck. He pounded on the wrong window and was shot."
The newly amended Castle Doctrine is so new, the Zeth case is the first time it's been cited in Blair County.
Attempts to reach the Zeth family Thursday for a response were unanswered.
