Jamie Pyle

A Chicora man charged with threatening to kill another person with a knife during a road rage incident pleaded guilty in Butler County Court on Tuesday.

Jamie T. Pyle, 46, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor terroristic threats, simple assault and summary driving on a suspended license before county Judge William Shaffer.

He will be scheduled to be sentenced later.

Pyle initially was charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor terroristic threats, simple assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and summary driving an unregistered vehicle, driving with a suspended registration, driving with a suspended license, following too closely and a high beams violation after an incident on Dec. 23.

Pennsylvania State Police said the charges resulted after a road incident between Pyle and another man, Andrew Jones.

According to the affidavit, Jones and his friend, Caleb Young, were traveling on Route 68 when Pyle's vehicle began tailgating them while flashing high beams.

Both vehicles subsequently pulled into the Rummy Mart parking lot.

Police said Jones then attempted to open his door when he was grabbed by the throat and pulled out of the vehicle and threatened with a knife.

The affidavit of probable cause states that the driver brandished a knife and held it to Jones' stomach, stating. 'If you ever (mess) with me again on the highway, I'll kill you.'”

Pyle was identified by the two men and he was later arrested.

Bail was set at $100,000, and he was held in the Butler County Prison. Despite a successful argument for bail reduction, which Shaffer allowed on Sept. 7, Pyle continues to be held on a probation detainer in a previous case.

Pyle's attorney, Public Defender Joseph Smith, said his client has been incarcerated since December, for 224 days on $100,000 bond, and pursuant to Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure Rule 600, which states “except in cases in which the defendant is not entitled to release on bail as provided by law, no defendant shall be held in pretrial incarceration in excess of 180 days from the date on which the complaint is filed,” he is entitled to be released.

Also requested was the lift of a probation detainer from a previous driving under the influence case because the supervision in that case was only six months in duration and has expired.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Lope conceded that Pyle has been held in excess of 180 days, but opposed the detainer lift and asked that a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) bracelet be used if he is released.

Pyle was released on that case on the condition that he report to the county Adult Probation Office immediately upon release and be placed on pretrial supervision with the SCRAM bracelet.

The probation detainer lift was denied, and he continues to be held pending sentencing.