As Angel Marie Stiteler, 25, of Cabot sat Tuesday in a Chicora courtroom, a trooper recounted watching footage of Stiteler allegedly repeatedly thrusting the palm of her hand into a mentally disabled man's forehead, preventing the 33-year-old from getting up.

Stiteler is one of three Lifesteps medical aides who have been charged with neglect of a care-dependent person. Specifically, Stiteler was arraigned for a charge with a description that reads: “Strikes, shoves, kicks or attempts/threatens care-dependent person.”

The man suffered injuries, including a black eye, broken finger, bruising and a possible bite mark during attacks that police said were made by Stiteler and two other aides.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton decided that the evidence presented against Stiteler was enough for the case to proceed.

Stiteler's lawyer, John Thomas Haller, offered a different perspective of the events that police say occurred between Aug. 8 and Sept. 4.

He asked Trooper Richard Giustini about his viewing of the recording and the investigation that he initiated Sept. 5.

Through Haller's questioning, Giustini noted that the victim is known to be a difficult patient to deal with and that he will often move rapidly and dart away. Along with the victim's mental handicaps and being nonverbal, the victim also has an unsteady gait, according to court documents. This walking challenge is overcome by attaching a “gate” belt around the victim's waist, allowing aides like Stiteler to help the patient walk.

But Giustini testified that Stiteler used the belt to throw the victim down, and Giustini said that other employees witnessed this behavior.

The other aides who have been charged are James J. Styen, 30, of Butler and Barbara E. Ion, 56, of Kittanning.