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Man accused of running over rival held for trial
Friday, November 13, 2009

Jason Kasper, accused of running over his girlfriend's husband Halloween night, today was ordered to stand trial on charges of criminal homicide and homicide by vehicle.

Tracy Pavlick, the wife of victim John Pavlick, testified during Mr. Kasper's preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Wyda that she had a romantic relationship with Mr. Kasper. She said she and Mr. Pavlick were "seeking a possible divorce" but were "together" at the time of the incident

Mr. Pavlick, 49, of Bethel Park, died of asphyxiation after Mr. Kasper, 35, also of Bethel Park, allegedly drove his Buick Regal over him on the lawn of a house on Grey Fox Circle. Mr. Pavlick was pinned under his car and died at the scene.

Mr. Kasper's attorney, Patrick Thomassey, called the incident "an unfortunate accident fueled by alcohol." He said Mrs. Pavlick should be blamed for "all of it."

She testified she and her husband went out to celebrate Halloween but that she and Mr. Kasper had texted back and forth during the evening. She invited Mr. Kasper to join her and Mr. Pavlick for drinks at bars, which he did. She described the meeting as "cordial" but said that Mr. Kasper later showed up at her home on Grey Fox Circle demanding to "straighten things out."

Mr. Kasper told police Mrs. Pavlick had invited him to her home. Mrs. Pavlick testified she did not.

She said Mr. Pavlick and Mr. Kasper began wrestling on the lawn of her home but broke up after she grabbed her husband's arm. Mr. Kasper then went to his car, which was parked on the street. She testified her husband kicked the driver's side door of the car and that Mr. Kasper reversed onto her lawn. She said Mr. Pavlick jumped onto the hood of Mr. Kasper's car and she ran inside to call police.

Mrs. Pavlick testified that while she was calling 911, Mr. Kasper came into her house and told her Mr. Pavlick was pinned underneath his car. She said neighbors and Mr. Kasper tried to jack up the car to free her husband but the jack didn't work on the soft lawn.

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First published on November 13, 2009 at 1:05 pm