A man will spend at least 11 months behind bars for pushing his friend into a deep coal pit and then waiting an hour before calling 911.
Emergency crews risked their lives to save a man who was pushed into a 500 foot deep coal pit in Coaldale.
An argument sparked the attack.
Now the accused, Richard George, 24, of Tamaqua admitted his guilt to a Schuylkill County judge.
The victim, Nathan Bowman, and his mother were in court. For Bowman, the hearing brought back memories of lying on a ledge in the dark. One move and he could have fallen further.
"It was scary for me to be down there and that. I thought that I was going to die," Bowman said.
His mother said he still has problems relating to the shove.
"There are days, especially when it's damp, he can't get out of bed. He has to be lifted up and he has quite a few headaches," said Charlotte Fredricks, Bowman's mother.
"I cannot forgive him because I have to live with this the rest of my life," Bowman added.
Richard George wanted the judge to allow him to work during the day and return to jail at night. Brown's mother convinced the judge to reject that idea.
"Because of escaping. I am fearful of escapees and things like that," Fredricks said, adding she is afraid of George.
He will be locked up at the Schuylkill County jail for at least 11 months. The victim's family said they are satisfied with that sentence.
Emergency crews risked their lives to save a man who was pushed into a 500 foot deep coal pit in Coaldale.
An argument sparked the attack.
Now the accused, Richard George, 24, of Tamaqua admitted his guilt to a Schuylkill County judge.
The victim, Nathan Bowman, and his mother were in court. For Bowman, the hearing brought back memories of lying on a ledge in the dark. One move and he could have fallen further.
"It was scary for me to be down there and that. I thought that I was going to die," Bowman said.
His mother said he still has problems relating to the shove.
"There are days, especially when it's damp, he can't get out of bed. He has to be lifted up and he has quite a few headaches," said Charlotte Fredricks, Bowman's mother.
"I cannot forgive him because I have to live with this the rest of my life," Bowman added.
Richard George wanted the judge to allow him to work during the day and return to jail at night. Brown's mother convinced the judge to reject that idea.
"Because of escaping. I am fearful of escapees and things like that," Fredricks said, adding she is afraid of George.
He will be locked up at the Schuylkill County jail for at least 11 months. The victim's family said they are satisfied with that sentence.
