Judge rejects plea deal for Murrysville man accused of stabbing mother

A Westmoreland County judge rejected a plea bargain Tuesday for a Murrysville man accused of attempting to murder his mother.

Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger said the agreement that would have allowed Andrew J. Farbarik to plead guilty to lesser charges and serve four years of probation was inconsistent with other cases in which prosecutors insisted on prison time for defendants with mental health problems accused of violence.

Police said Farbarik, 32, stabbed his mother twice during an argument Feb. 27 at her home. Lisa Farbarik said Tuesday that she was not seriously injured and did not feel threatened by her son, who she said suffers from mental illness.

“I can appreciate a mother's love for her son, but the fact that she didn't feel threatened means she didn't see the knife. Two stab wounds to the shoulder meant she was in danger. I can’t be convinced of that (advocacy) today,” Krieger said.

The deal proposed by prosecutors called for Farbarik to plead guilty to misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and simple assault. Charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault were reportedly dismissed.

Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Iannamorelli said Farbarik had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was under medical care when a change in his medications led to the destabilization of his mental health and ultimately the attack on his mother.

“This will be a difficult case to judge,” Iannamorelli said. “The victim will say that she was not threatened and that her injuries were not significant.”

According to court records, Farbarik told police he got a knife and stabbed his mother after seeing her with scissors.

A psychologist hired by the defense, who in numerous other cases served as a mental health expert for the prosecutor's office, determined that Farbarik did not pose a threat to himself or the community, according to prosecutors.

Defense lawyer Michael Machan said Farbarik had no criminal record and had support from his mother and other family members.

“He was treated for it and his medication level was not appropriate. His mother said he had never had problems like this before,” Machan told the judge.

Krieger said he will first review a report on Farbarik's mental health and hear expert testimony at a hearing that has not yet been scheduled and may reconsider the proposed plea deal.