Published: December 01, 2009 12:13 pm      

NEW – Hearing delayed for Iraqi war vet charged in bank robbery

EBENSBURG — Judge Gerard Long on Tuesday again delayed the sentencing of an Iraq War veteran on bank robbery and other charges while his lawyer continues to try to get additional counseling though the Veterans Administration for the defendant.

John Matthew Fletcher, 28, of East Taylor Township, already is in counseling for post traumatic stress disorder at a Veterans Center, but “we want to get a more solid program,” Johnstown Attorney Caram Abood said.

Fletcher pleaded guilty last December to terroristic threats and robbery in the knifepoint holdup at 1stSummit Bank in the township on Sept. 25, 2008. He’s also entered guilty pleas in the theft of copper wire, in phoning a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of two schools and in stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Long rescheduled sentencing for Dec. 29.