Joseph Fitzgerald. COURTESY OF THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
According to a press release issued by the Philadelphia Police Department’s Office of Media Relations, The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has charged 31-year-old Joseph Fitzgerald with aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person for stabbing another man, a retired Philadelphia police officer, earlier this week.
According to police, on Monday, Aug. 19, 24th District officers responded to a report of a stabbing on the 3000 block of Salmon Street. When they arrived, they were met by the 56-year-old victim who stated that he was stabbed once in the chest by a white male in his 30s, who was 5 foot 8 inches, approximately 200 pounds, and wearing dark clothing. The victim was transported to Temple Hospital by medics, and was in stable condition.
Stabbing victim and retired Philadelphia police officer George Orth told investigators he met Fitzgerald at a nearby bar Monday, and that Fitzgerald stabbed him once in the chest around 2 a.m. outside of Orth’s home on Salmon Street near Indiana Avenue, according to philly.com. Police have not yet released information on Fitzgerald’s alleged motive.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Fitzgerald, from the 3300 block of Belgrade Street, was arrested on the 3300 block of Aramingo Avenue.
Philly.com further reported that Fitzgerald has five prior arrests. He most recently was arrested for a DUI in October 2011.
Orth was a Philadelphia police officer for 25 years.
Fitzgerald was arraigned early this morning, bail set at $400,000, and his next court date is scheduled for September 4, 2013 in courtroom 603. ull;•
