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Bounty Hunter Kills Drug Suspect; Police Investigate

POSTED: 11:42 am EST December 27, 2004
UPDATED: 7:47 pm EST December 27, 2004

The Allegheny County Coroner's Office has ruled that an unarmed man shot by a bail bondsman on Pittsburgh's North Side was a victim of homicide.

However, police and prosecutors are still reviewing the Thursday night death of Michael Robinson and have not decided whether charges should be filed. Officials say a coroner's inquest will be held.



Pittsburgh police said two bounty hunters tried to serve a fugitive warrant at a home on Howard Street, near Rising Main Avenue, in the city's Fineview neighborhood.

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The warrant was issued after Robinson, 38, allegedly jumped his $20,000 bond and failed to appear on drug and stolen property charges.

The fugitive recovery agents, as the bondsmen called themselves, found Robinson in the home. One of them repeatedly asked Robinson to show his hands, then fired when he saw Robinson holding something he thought was a gun, police said.

Robinson was hit in the pelvic area with a rubber bullet from a shotgun, according to Deputy Coroner Tim Uhrich. He was pronounced dead about a half-hour later.

Neither of the bounty hunters has been publicly identified. They were working for Liberty Bail Bonds, which declined to comment Monday.

Assistant District Attorney Ed Borkowski said authorities are investigating whether the bondsmen filed necessary paperwork and followed proper procedures for apprehending Robinson.

No date has been set for the inquest.

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