Emmaus Man Charged in Beating Death of 70-Year-Old Borough Resident

A 22-year-old Emmaus man has been charged with beating to death a 70-year-old borough man in August, the Lehigh County District Attorney's office said.

Alexander Octa Roscioli, of 314 S. Broom St., Apt. 3, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in the fatal beating of John Sweeney Sr., according to a DA release.

Roscioli turned himself in to authorities Wednesday morning and was arraigned later in Lehigh County Central Booking. Bail was set at $750,000. 

Police said Sweeney had been punched and kicked by Roscioli after Sweeney had struck him with a plastic hockey stick during a dispute and verbal confrontation.

An affidavit of probable cause filed by Emmaus Sgt. Karl Geschwindt and Det. Richard Heffelfinger of the DA's Homicide Task Force alleges:

—At about 2:41 a.m. Aug. 30, borough police responded to 314 S. Broom St. after receiving a report that an elderly man had been assaulted and was bleeding and unresponsive.

—The victim was Sweeney. He was taken by emergency medical personnel to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where he was in critical condition.

—Sweeney died the next day.  

—A forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy determined that Sweeney died of blunt force trauma to the head. He had a skull fracture, broken ribs and a cerebral hemorrhage, in addition to other injuries.  

—Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim ruled the death a homicide.

—Roscioli told police he was in a fight with Sweeney, and he admitted punching and kicking him multiple times in the head and body. 

According to Sweeney's obituary posted on the Schantz Funeral Home website, he worked as a bookkeeper and accountant at the former Allentown State Hospital for 20 years, retiring in 2006. He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, Emmaus.