By Sadie Gurman
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PITTSBURGH — A city paramedic will stand trial on charges that he tried to keep a fire lieutenant from entering a Lawrenceville bar where he had been called to help a man who had been assaulted.
After a morning preliminary hearing, a judge ordered Andrew Lagomarsino, 32, of Greenfield, to trial on charges of obstructing emergency services and harassment in a Sept. 17 incident at New Amsterdam, a Butler Street bar. Fire Lt. Darren McNeil was called there about 2:30 a.m. to aid a man inside. A count of simple assault was stricken.
The lieutenant told District Judge Jim Motznik that Mr. Lagomarsino, who was off-duty, dressed in civilian clothing and appeared intoxicated, blocked his access to the bar, cursed at him and told him to leave. Inside, a middle-aged man was suffering from a head injury.
“He said ‘we don’t need you here,’ ” Lt. McNeil said. “He said, ‘I have command, I don’t need you here, I just need an ambulance to come for transport.”
Mr. Lagomarsino pushed him several times while trying to keep him out, Lt. McNeil testified.
Several firefighters and a police officer gathered at city court Downtown for the hearing, though Judge Motznik only heard testimony from Lt. McNeil before holding the case for trial.
“It’s clear from the undertone of the testimony there’s more behind this,” said Mr. Lagomarsino’s attorney, Fred Rabner. “When the truth comes out, my client will be vindicated.”
Chief Robert McCaughan of the city’s Emergency Medical Services said Wednesday that Mr. Lagomarsino remains employed but declined to comment about the case.
Republished with permission from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette