Hindi now faces stiffer charges: Shoot foe meets bail; 5 others due in court

September 19, 1990

Pottsville (PA.) Republican

By Daryl Nerl and Matt Assad

Tremont – The Illinois man who led the protest against the Hegins Pigeon Shoot on Labor Day had charges against him upgraded this morning and the bail boosted to $7,500.

Steven O. Hindi, 36, of Plano, Ill., was en route to state police in Schuylkill Haven at press time to be booked and fingerprinted.

He posted bail late this morning, thereby avoiding a stay in Schuylkill County Prison. No bail had been set previously.

At District Justice Earl H. Matz’s office here this morning, summary charges of disorderly conduct and criminal mischief – for smashing a car windshield – were withdrawn and new charges of disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, second degree, a misdemeanor, were filed against Hindi.

The charges were upgraded because the estimated cost of replacing the windshield has risen to $1,100.

The incident involving Hindi and the car, a white Firebird driven by Michael Stewart, 23, of Annville, happened toward the end of the day’s protest, as the pickets were leaving the park grounds.

Protesters claimed that Steward intentionally weaved his car toward them. Stewart was charged with disorderly conduct. The car was owned by Joelene Bomberger, Annville.

Hindi will be heard Sept. 27 on the new charges.

Before the hearings were to begin, Hindi indicated the group planned to show a video of him being hit by the car, but did not indicate what argument he would take, only saying, “I assure you it will be interesting.”

The first defendant to be heard this morning was Bernard Unti, 30, of Philadelphia who was charged with disorderly conduct after he raised a bullhorn during a protest of the annual Hegins pigeon shoot.

Five other protesters, including Hindi’s brother Gregory, of Wichita, Kan., were also scheduled to appear before Matz today. Results of those hearings were not available at press time.