A Pennsylvania man accused of homicide has died after he jumped through a window after being taken into police custody.
What Really Happened?
Bernard Geisel, 42, was allegedly trespassing in a vacant building in Connellsville on December 29.
After building residents called the police about a squatter, Connellsville Police Department officers arrived to find Geisel on the fourth floor and arrested him.
Escape Plan Gone Wrong
Disturbing footage shows the man walking down the stairs in handcuffs with no cops in front of him.
As he approaches a window, Geisel is seen jumping head first through the window, flipping twice in the air and falling onto the sidewalk, right next to a police car.
State Police later said he suffered life-threatening injuries and died at a hospital.
Statement From Official
Trooper Kalee Barnhart told CBS: ‘Upon searching the building, Connellsville officers located the actor on the fourth floor of that building. This actor was positively identified as Bernard Geisel.
‘He was taken to Highlands Hospital and later transported to Frick Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.’
Neighbor Bonnie Ray later described the video as ‘upsetting’.
‘Watching that video, it was so upsetting. I don’t know what he was thinking, what was going on, why he would plunge himself through that window.
‘It’s very sad. I feel bad for his parents, if he had kids, brothers, sisters,’ she said.
His Criminal Records
Geisel had previously been charged with homicide after he hit a man multiple times with a crowbar and ran him over.
In December 2023, police were called to a Sheetz store in Redstone Township after receiving reports of a vehicle crashing into a pedestrian.
According to officials, Geisel and the victim had dated the same woman in the past and knew each other.
The victim told officials that he was approached by crowbar-wielding Geisel as he walked out of the convivence store.
When he asked what Geisel was doing, the accused murderer charged and began to attack him.
During the attack, Sheetz staff began to call the police.
Statement From Witness
According to a witness, Geisel got back into his car and drove fast into the victim.
The victim’s head hit the hood and his leg hit the bumper before he fell to the ground.
Geisel then got out of his car with the crowbar, walked towards the victim, who got up and got into his truck before fleeing the parking lot, according to the complaint.
Police are still investigating the case.
