Attempted Homicide Victims Don't Show: Hearing Postponed

An Allentown man facing a charge of attempted homicide for a February stabbing in South Bethlehem had his preliminary hearing postponed on Tuesday because his alleged victims did not show up.

Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Robert Eyer told District Judge Nancy Matos-Gonzalez that efforts to locate the alleged victims, Marianna and Angel Rodriguez, were unsuccessful.

Matos-Gonzalez granted the continuance for a hearing for defendant Tony Ray Arvelo, but ordered that subpoenas be issued to the alleged victims for the rescheduled hearing.

Marianna and Angel Rodriguez were stabbed at an apartment at 502 Ontario St. after a fight and during a party on Feb. 9, according to Bethlehem police.

Arvelo, 24, of 618 Chew St., is charged with attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and possessing the instruments of a crime.

Eyer told Matos-Gonzalez that neither he nor Bethlehem Police Det. Robert Toronzi were aware of any reluctance on the part of the Rodriguezes to testify and that perhaps they had misunderstood when they were next supposed to appear in court.

Other witnesses to the alleged crime had arrived, but the victims' testimony was necessary to the presentation of the case, Eyer said.

The continuance was granted over the objection of Arvelo’s attorney, Vivian Zumas, who said she was concerned that her client had already been “incarcerated for a very long time. He would like to have his preliminary hearing.”

Arvelo has been in Northampton County Prison in lieu of $300,000 bail since his arrest on Feb. 12.

“These are very serious charges before the court,” Matos-Gonzalez said. “I would have difficulty whimsically dismissing this case.”