Graterford Prison Inmate Accused of Killing Another Inmate

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office provided the following information:

John Anthony Kasianczuk is facing first- and third-degree murder charges in connection with the August 2010 death of fellow inmate Roberto Avalle, according to today’s announcement by Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Captain Timothy J. McDonald and Lieutenant David C. Buckley.

On Aug. 25, 2010, the Pennsylvania State Police at Skippack were notified of an assault involving two inmates, who were incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Graterford. The defendant was incarcerated on robbery charges out of Bucks County.

The incident occurred on Aug. 22, 2010, in the prison’s outdoor yard-cage when Kasianczuk allegedly assaulted inmate Avalle. According to reports, Kaianczuk was observed walking up to Avalle and punching him in the side of the head, knocking him to the ground.

After Avalle was on the ground, Kasianczuk allegedly, repeatedly struck him with his fists and used his shoed feet to stomp on Avalle’s head, reports state.

After the incident, Avalle was suffering from a brain bleed and medevaced to Hahnemann Hospital. Avalle was transferred to other hospitals and was ultimately taken to a medical facility to SCI Laurel Highlands in Somerset County.

Avalle died Oct. 9, 2010, at SCI Somerset while being treated for the injuries sustained during the incident, authorities report. On April 12, 2011, the Somerset County Coroner’s Officer ruled his death a homicide.

Kasianczuk was arrested April 16 and charged with murder. The defendant was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Kropp and remanded to the Montgomery County Correction Facility without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Albert Augustine on April 26, 2011, at 10 a.m.
 
Assistant District Attorneys Lauren McNulty and Jeremy Abidiwan-Lupo are prosecuting the case.