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Alleged Attack Suspect Had Criminal History

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Sep 2, 2009 9:13 pm US/Eastern

Alleged Attack Suspect Had Criminal History

OAKLAND (KDKA) ― The KDKA Investigators have learned that a patient who allegedly attacked a Wexford man at Western Psych has a long criminal history and was recently transferred from Mayview State Hospital.

Richard Kelleher, 63, also a patient, says he was walking out of his room when he was attacked.

"He has a broken nose, an earlobe that's disconnected, that's lacerated," Rose Kelleher, the victim's wife, said. "He has multiple lacerations across his face and stitching. He has – he had to have a CT scan, he had to have a plastic surgeon consult for his face – it's disfigured."

A spokesman for the State Department of Public Welfare confirms there was an assault. However, she says Kelleher's injuries were minor and not life-threatening. The staff responded immediately and took appropriate action.

Meantime, there are new concerns about the suspect who allegedly attacked Kelleher. The KDKA Investigators have learned he has a criminal history involving arrests for aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and open lewdness.

Sources say he was transferred to Western Psych from Mayview Hospital.

"Could have killed him – that's what my dad said. He could have killed him easily," Ryan Kelleher, the victim's son, said. "He was a very big man – my dad's not a fighter. He's the most loving person you would ever meet and for this to happen in a hospital is unacceptable."

Regarding the criminal history of the suspect in the assault, sources tell KDKA's Marty Griffin psychiatric officials are trying to determine why he was on the same floor with patients suffering from depression.

Sources also tell Griffin state investigators will be doing the same thing.

Meantime, Griffin has been told UPMC has reached out to family members a number of times to talk about the incident.

Kelleher's wife and son say they plan to visit him at Mercy Hospital.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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