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Attempted homicide suspect held without bail

Paul J. Harper

A Portersville area man, charged with attempted homicide following an incident Monday night, remains held in the Butler County Prison without bail after making inflammatory statements following his arrest.

Paul J. Harper, 70, was arraigned on charges of felony attempted homicide, aggravated assault and two misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person by Magisterial District Judge William Fullerton, and held on $250,000 bail.

Less than two hours later, a bail hearing was held and bail was revoked.

District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the bail was revoked because Harper allegedly “made statements to the effect that if he got out of jail, he was going to kill the victim.”

Harper was charged after an incident at 10:30 p.m. Monday in Muddy Creek Township. Pennsylvania State Police say Harper allegedly went to the residence of Christopher and Debra Galbreath, at 1634 Perry Highway, with a shotgun and shot Christopher Galbreath in the arm.

Galbreath was taken to Allegheny General Hospital and is expected to survive.

A full report will appear in tomorrow's Butler Eagle.

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