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A Pittsburgh man is accused of going into Allegheny County Courthouse while wearing a fake police uniform and carrying a knife to harass a Common Pleas judge. Knitted Jacket
Christopher Hall, 29, of the Hill District, tried to enter Common Pleas Judge Edward Borkowski’s courtroom around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday dressed in a “uniform (that) included a police-style button-down shirt with patches and a badge,” according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
He was wearing an empty pistol holster on his hip and handcuffs on his rear waistband, the complaint said. State police confirmed to authorities that Hall is not a police officer.
When Borkowski left the bench to exit the courtroom, Hall also left the courtroom and tried to catch up with Borkowski, the complaint said. The deputy confronted and stopped him. A second deputy, notified about Hall, escorted Borkowski back into his chambers for safety.
As Hall became agitated, a deputy saw the handle of a black knife in Hall’s shirt pocket, the complaint said. The deputy took Hall to criminal court, where a search revealed a 6-inch-long knife and three live rounds of 9mm ammunition, both of which are not allowed inside the courthouse.
Before Tuesday, Hall repeatedly contacted Borkowski and other courthouse staff in person and by phone in an attempt to “harass and annoy Borkowski, as he will be presiding over the motion that Hall filed.”
Borkowski sentenced Hall to 1 to 2 days in prison after Hall pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with a May 2019 incident, court records show. Hall’s alleged motion in front of Borkowski was not reflected in court records Friday.
Hall will be charged by mail with impersonating a public servant, harassment and firearm possession, sheriff spokesman Mike Manko said Friday.
Hall’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2, court records show. An attorney for Hall was not listed in the records.
Justin Vellucci is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Justin at jvellucci@triblive.com.
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