An off-duty police officer has plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter regarding assault of witness during a Beaver County shooting in 2022.
John Hawk pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and related offenses for assaulting Kenneth Vinyard who later died at the scene of a shooting outside a Walmart in Beaver County in 2022.
Trial testimony was to start Tuesday morning when Hawk instead entered guilty pleas to involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, and reckless endangerment according to Attorney General Dave Sunday.
He says his team was prepared to try the case, but, after selecting a jury on Monday, he was informed the defendant wished to plead guilty.
“This sworn officer’s actions contributed to the death of a man who was not a threat to anyone at the scene of this shooting,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “My team was fully prepared to try this case, but, after selecting a jury on Monday, we were informed the defendant wished to plead guilty.”
Hawk was sentenced to five years of probation.