Monessen man convicted of sexual assault of blind victim

Rich Cholodofsky, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Jul. 18—A Monessen man was convicted this week of sexually assaulting a legally blind woman last year outside of a Rostraver home.

Following a nonjury trial Monday, Timothy L. Stitch was convicted of one felony count of sexual assault in connection with allegations made by a 36-year-old woman who claimed she was attacked in the back of vehicle on May 26, 2022.

Stitch was acquitted of an additional charge of rape. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani ruled that prosecutors did not prove that Stitch used force during the assault.

"You engaged in sexual intercourse without her consent," Feliciani said as he rendered the verdict.

Stitch's accuser testified the attack occurred in front of a home they visited that night. She said she initially rebuffed Stitch's attempted to have sexual relations in the nearby woods and later, when she came out to the vehicle to be driven home, Stitch pinned her into the trunk area of his vehicle to engage in sexual activity.

"I told him I didn't want to do anything sexual. I didn't want to have sex," she testified.

The woman said she first met Stitch about three weeks earlier when he drove past her as she walked home from the grocery and offered her a ride. Prior to the alleged assault they dated one time when Stitch honored her request to not have sexual relations, she testified.

Prosecutors said Stitch's genetic material was found on his accuser.

Stitch's accuser testified she was legally blind, and while she can only see shapes and colors, she was able to identify her alleged attacker.

Stitch conceded he had sexual relations with his accuser.

He testified they had multiple sexual liaisons over the previous weeks, but did not have relations the night of the alleged assault. He said they had consensual sex a day earlier and that his accuser concocted the assault allegations following his decision to reunite with his estranged wife.

"I told her my wife called and that I'm going back to her. That's when she said said that about me," Stitch testified.

Charges that Stitch fled from police to avoid prosecution were dismissed.

Stitch will remain in jail without bond until he is sentenced in about three months, Feliciani said.

Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich by email at rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .