All Rights Reserved
PETTIT INTERVIEW
November 2003
Q: Has the FBI brought in the Organized Crime Division?
Answer: Not to my knowledge, I have no knowledge as to if they are out there looking.
COMMENTARY: This question seems even more important in the wake of both Mr. Petitt’s claim that this was a plot to kill him and the ongoing investigation of Pettit by the FBI.
Q: Was Brilla a plea bargin?
Answer: No, he went to trial
Q: Who defended him in that case?
Answer: I don’t recall, John DiSalle was the prosecuting attorney on that case, from my office.
COMMENTARY: John DiSalle is now a judge in the Court of Common Pleas.
Q: Who was the judge?
Answer: I believe it was Judge Gilmore
COMMENTARY: Judge Gilmore died while golfing with Petitt
Q: Did he appeal that case?
Answer: I don’t believe so
Q: There is a lot of talk on the streets about coins left on the bodies of the victims, can you comment?
Answer: I have heard a lot of that type of discussion myself. I can’t comment about that situation.
COMMENTARY: It was later learned that a coin was found on the body of Brilla. It was his “lucky” coin that he showed everyone he met.
Q: Did it look like a professional did it …someone that knew how to kill people?
Answer: The fact that two people are no longer alive is a clear indication that whoever the killer was knew how to kill people.
COMMENTARY: Pettit’s case was built around the idea that Gerald Gregg was killing as part of a plot to takeover the underworld of Washington County. This would normally mean someone that was a professional.
Q: A business like hit, not like guys on the street getting into a tussle? Answer: There isn’t anyway without talking about the scene that would be appropriate at this time to really answer that question. Even if we were just talking about seeing
a movie and discussing particular scene, it is pretty difficult to make an accurate determination whether something is professionally done or someone who is very knowledgeable did it.
Q: It is an open investigation, you will be looking under every nook and cranny?
Answer: It is an open investigation.
COMMENTARY: Given Petitt’s later claim that this was a plot to kill him and that he was informed about plot beforehand and received police protection this would seem less likely to be true at the time of the interview.
Q: Is this related to Brilla’s drug past? Answer: By an open investigation, that means we will pursue every possible lead. We have the Pennsylvania State Police as the lead investigation agency, North Strabane Police will be assisting and they will be performing their part of the investigation and therewill be part of my office assisting in the investigation and anywhere else that it might take us regarding any other agencies. Evidence that appears along the way will be pursued by one or more agencies.
COMMENTARY: Pettit has avoided answering the question that was asked at this point. The question would be why?
Q: Do you have any reason to believe that this suspect or suspects might commit another murder? Answer: No way to speculate on that, that would just be pure speculation. When you take into consideration that there is two people dead, I think it takes a certain type of individual to do that to another individual. If you had the same motivation, the same incentive it means that somebody else could be a victim. But that doesn’t mean anything involving this set of circumstances.
COMMENTARY: Pettit believed that this was part of plot to kill him. Hence he would believe the killers capable of attempting to kill again.
Q: Was Brilla known to frequent that bar?
Answer: I can’t comment on that.
COMMENTARY: Brilla was a frequent visitor to Prices Tavern due to his relationship with Martin Brahler.
Page
