March 12, 2015-  Commonwealth v Jeffrey Carson:  On March 12, 2015, a Dauphin County Jury convicted Jeffrey Carson of Aggravated Assault of a Paramedic.  The case arose from an incident on February 4, 2014 when paramedic William DiBerardine and his partner responded to a call requesting assistance for the defendant who was intoxicated and had fallen down. When Mr. DiBerardine attempted to assess the defendant’s condition Carson began yelling that he was going to kill Mr. DiBerardine, swung at him, and kicked him in the back of the head.  It took police intervention to subdue the defendant to allow him to be medically treated.

Under Pennsylvania Law, paramedics are part of a protected class making any attempt to cause them bodily injury during the course of their duties an Aggravated Assault.  Deputy District Attorney Katie Adam, who prosecuted the case, stated that   “The verdict upheld the intent of the legislature to ensure that the people who dedicate their lives to helping others are protected.  The purpose of this law is so that at the end of the day first responders get to go home to their families.”