Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette

Westmoreland Coroner Kenneth A. Bacha, left, keeps his composure while listening to Hearing Officer Thomas J. Farrell speak at a press conference yesterday. The two were speaking on the findings from the open inquest into the death of Louis A.J. Farrell. Listen In Listen to comments from the coroner's ruling in the death of Louis Farrell: Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth A. Bacha: Summation of findings. Hearing officer Thomas J. Farrell: Why no involuntary manslaughter charges are recommended. Jon R. Perry, Farrell family attorney: No remorse from Sen. Regola. Mr. Perry: Case wasn't investigated correctly. Duke George, attorney for Robert Regola IV: "It's a sad, sad case ..." See the full text of both Coroner Kenneth A. Bacha's determination and the hearing officer's report, in .pdf format.

After nearly eight months of mystery surrounding the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old Hempfield boy with a gun owned by a state senator who lived next door, Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth A. Bacha has ruled the death a suicide.

While Mr. Bacha recommended no charges be brought in the death of Louis A.J. Farrell, District Attorney John W. Peck said he was still exploring that possibility.

"Although it appears that Louis Farrell lacked any motive to harm himself, the only conclusion that I can draw from the physical and forensic evidence is that Lou took his own life," said Mr. Bacha, who announced his ruling yesterday at a news conference.

"I want to express my sympathy to the Farrell family. There's no question Lou Farrell was a fine young man and he came from a fine family."

Mr. Bacha's ruling was based on hearing officer Thomas J. Farrell's 23-page report of findings from a two-day open inquest he presided at last month.

In his report, Mr. Farrell, a former federal prosecutor who is unrelated to Louis or his family, said evidence showed that Louis was "a happy, healthy and well-loved young man with plans for the future." But, Mr. Farrell wrote, "People sometimes do the worst, for reasons dimly understood even by themselves, or for no good reason."

Mr. Farrell recommended no criminal charges related to the death, including involuntary manslaughter. But he said that other charges, like reckless endangerment or weapons violations, were not within his authority to recommend or advise against.

Mr. Peck, who is not bound by the coroner's recommendation, said at the same news conference that he was still exploring whether there's enough evidence to warrant such charges as involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, or gun violations, relating to the access Louis had to the gun that killed him.

Also possible, Mr. Peck said, is a charge of perjury stemming from the testimony at the inquest by state Sen. Robert Regola III, owner of the gun that killed his neighbor.

Louis' body was found by his father the morning of July 22 in the woods behind the family home. Next to him was Mr. Regola's 9 mm Taurus pistol. In the hours on July 21 before his death, Louis had access to the Regola home because he was dog-sitting for the senator, who was out of town.

The senator's son, Robert "Bobby" Regola IV, 16, who was at the family home, was the last person known to have spoken to his friend Louis in a five-minute phone call that began at 11:01 p.m. Bobby Regola did not testify at the inquest, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination. In a statement to state police, Bobby said Louis asked him in that phone call to meet him outside; he said he asked Louis to call him back when he was ready, but Louis never did so.

Jon R. Perry, attorney for the Farrell family, which has steadfastly maintained Louis had no reason or inclination to commit suicide, said he's hopeful Mr. Regola will be charged.

"I have yet to hear one word of remorse or acceptance of responsibility by the senator because the fact remains that regardless of what the cause of death was, it was the senator's gun ... that was recklessly made available to someone and that's a crime. I'm confident District Attorney Peck will now bring those charges."

There is precedent in Westmoreland County for convicting an adult for leaving a handgun accessible to minors who then use it in a fatal shooting.

Robert J. Lewis, a former Rostraver resident, was sentenced to six to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to reckless endangerment for leaving his 12-year-old son, Kevin, home alone with a loaded gun that was used to shoot and kill 14-year-old Philip Cusmano on Feb. 25, 2001.

Charles J. Porter, Mr. Regola's attorney, said after the news conference that bringing charges in the case would be a mistake.

"This is a horrible tragedy but that doesn't mean ... there needs to be criminal prosecution. We have civil courts to deal with tragedies," Mr. Porter said. "This is not a case where there should be any criminal charges."

He noted that the gun was stored in a bedroom in the Regola house and without anyone's knowledge, Louis obtained it.

"If this is recklessness, then none of us are safe if we have a gun in our house because if anybody knows you have a gun and takes it, are you not responsible under the same theory? I'm perplexed how there could be recklessness under these circumstances."

Duke George, Bobby Regola's attorney, said: "It's a sad, sad case, not only for the Farrells but it's a very sad case for the Regolas. They've been subjected to innuendo, speculation and it's just sad.

"We hope Mr. Peck does the right thing and does not bring charges against any of the parties concerned in the case."

Central to the possibility of criminal charges, which Mr. Peck said he will decide upon over the next two weeks, is the location where Mr. Regola kept the gun in his home.

He testified he kept it in his bedroom but other witnesses said Bobby Regola kept the weapon in his bedroom and even showed it to other youths, including Louis. Mr. Regola's testimony at the inquest was discounted as not believable by both Mr. Peck and Mr. Farrell.

In his report, Mr. Farrell called Mr. Regola's testimony about where the gun was kept "incredible." He said the testimony he believed indicated the gun was kept in Bobby's room and from that it could be inferred that's where Louis obtained it on July 21.

"Senator Regola's conduct in allowing his son to have a loaded, unlocked handgun in the house certainly was irresponsible," Mr. Farrell wrote.

Mr. Perry said criminal charges won't bring the family closure but could bring justice.

"They don't want anybody else to go through this," he said. "They talked to their children, like they did with drugs and alcohol, not to be around guns.

"Unfortunately, because their neighbor didn't share those beliefs, their son may have had access to a gun and his life is over because of it."