Springdale man who shot at ex-girlfriend gets 4 years mental health court probation

April 27--A Springdale man who shot at his ex-girlfriend and started a standoff with police last year will serve four years of probation through Allegheny County's mental health court, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Todd Scherba, 40, pleaded guilty in February to a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor charges of possessing a firearm when prohibited, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, simple assault and harassment for the Feb. 26, 2015 incident. Scherba had been drinking and using drugs before he hit and cut his ex, fired a gun at her, then refused police orders to surrender for nearly two hours.

On Wednesday, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Beth A. Lazzara sentenced Scherba to four years of probation under a slew of conditions, including that he get drug, alcohol and mental health treatment under the supervision of the specialty court Lazzara runs for people whose crimes were rooted in mental health issues.

"There's a lot more supervision under mental health court," Lazzara said. "We want to make sure you get the treatment you need."

She sentenced him to two other concurrent terms of four years' probation so that if he violates the terms, which included no contact with the victim, the court could re-sentence him on all three charges.

Scherba offered an apology to the court for the incident and his gratitude for the transfer to mental health court. His first mandatory check-in with the court will be Monday.

Matthew Santoni is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412 391 0927 or msantoni@tribweb.com.

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