Former 'Idol' contestant in deadly bar brawl
FARRELL, Pennsylvania. (AP) -- An Ohio man booted off the Fox talent show "American Idol" in January has been charged with assault in a bar fight that resulted in a man's death.
Jaered N. Andrews, 24, of Austintown, Ohio, is charged with simple assault for allegedly punching a man in the face November 16 at the Blue Ribbon Grille in Farrell, about 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, near the Ohio state line.
Thomas E. Blakeley, 39, of Sharpsville, died when he fell and hit his head on the sidewalk after being punched, authorities said.
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 I happened to witness someone getting killed. 
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-- Jaered N. Andrews
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A Fox-TV official in Los Angeles declined to tell The Associated Press Wednesday why Andrews had been removed from the show. Andrews appeared on four episodes of the second season of "American Idol" and had reached the semifinals before he was kicked off.
A woman who answered the phone at Andrews' residence Wednesday said Andrews wouldn't comment and refused to say if he has an attorney.
Andrews told WKBN-TV of Youngstown, Ohio, last month that he thought he was dropped from the show for witnessing Blakeley's death. Andrews told the station he was celebrating his success on the show with some friends "when I happened to witness someone getting killed."
On Friday, Andrews turned himself in to authorities in Mercer County, where he faces a March 14 preliminary hearing. He remains free after posting $5,000 bond and could get up to a year in prison if he's convicted.
Mercer County District Attorney James Epstein said more serious charges aren't warranted because Andrews didn't intend to kill Blakeley.
Epstein said he doesn't expect to file additional charges against Andrews. Another man, Jerrold L. Allen, 31, of Sharon, was charged with aggravated assault.
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