The man sentenced last week for killing a Pittsburgh police dog refused today to take a plea offer in another case.
John Rush, 22, of Stowe is charged with robbery, aggravated assault and related charges in connection with a home invasion involving his stepfather in December 2013, authorities said.
The proposed sentence, which Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jill E. Rangos characterized as "well below" standard guidelines range, would have run consecutive to the sentence he received last week for killing Rocco, the K-9 officer, as well as for four related counts of aggravated assault on human police officers.
Rush was sentenced to serve at least 17 years 10 months in prison for killing the police dog last year.
Judge Rangos explained to Rush that if he goes to trial on the robbery case, the jury could find him guilty of multiple first-degree felonies that could mean a longer sentence, also to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed last week
Rush said he understood.
"Yes, I made a decision, and I declined it. I cannot take the offer," he said.
He is now scheduled for a jury trial on Friday.
Rush also has an outstanding case of failing to register as a sex offender.
Paula Reed Ward: pward@post-gazette.com.
First Published: March 16, 2015, 4:13 p.m.
