Thursday, February 18, 2010

Montco, PA: Montco man charged in baseball-bat death

By Kathleen Brady Shea
Inquirer Staff Writer

Jealousy and a baseball bat played roles in the death of a Montgomery County man last week, authorities said.
Yesterday, Thomas C. Bellezza, 50, of Hatboro, was charged with third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and related offenses in the bludgeoning death of Robert "Rusty" Masten, 53, of Horsham, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said.

Bellezza was "lying in wait" for Masten, who was visiting Bellezza's ex-girlfriend on MacIntosh Court in Horsham on Feb. 9, according to the criminal complaint. After Bellezza called the residence and spoke with Masten, Masten went outside and grabbed a baseball bat he kept in his pickup truck, it says.

A neighbor, who heard shouting, saw one male strike the other with an "overhead, wood-chopping-style blow," the complaint says.

Officers who responded to the reported assault interviewed Bellezza, whose clothes were covered in blood. Bellezza allegedly told police, "I took the bat from him and hit him." He said the dispute was "over a girl," the complaint says.

During an interview with detectives, Bellezza described the relationship as "intimate" and added, "Lately, it has not been going well."

Masten, who was taken to Abington Memorial Hospital, died last Thursday. Forensic pathologist George McDonald, who performed an autopsy Friday, ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt-force trauma to the head, the complaint said.

The victim's body lacked any defensive wounds, the complaint said.

Bellezza was arraigned before District Judge Margaret Hunsicker in Norristown. He was denied bail, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 26.

Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 610-696-3815 or kbrady@phillynews.com.

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