Hit & run suspect apologizes in court

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - The man accused in a deadly hit and run crash in East Greenwich and with shooting a North Kingstown police officer made an unexpected move during his arraignment Tuesday morning. He tried to apologize to the family of the hit and run victim.

During the court proceedings, David Catalano, 29, abruptly spoke out and said he was sorry. Immediately the judge cut him off, telling him it was not advisable for him to make such statements in court.

Catalano is accused of running down Clifford Levalley, 66, with his car Sunday afternoon while Levalley worked at an East Greenwich gas station. Prosecutors said Catalano then took off and returned to his home at 10 Wasp Rd. in North Kingstown. Levalley died later in the day from his injuries.

Shortly after the hit and run happened, Catalano is accused of assaulting and shooting a North Kingstown police officer with the officer's service revolver. The officer arrived at Catalano's house to question him about the crash.

For the East Greenwich incident, Catalano faces charges of leaving the scene of a fatal accident and driving to endanger, death resulting.

For the second time in two days, a judge ordered Catalano held without bail. The suspect was arraigned Monday on charges stemming from the North Kingstown incident.

He is facing five felony counts in that crime, including assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, stealing a police cruiser and stealing the officer's gun.

Catalano is also being held as a probation violator stemming from an incident at the East Greenwich police station in March.

"He came into to the station to speak with officers about a problem. He was having a domestic relation problem. During a conversation with officers, he became animated to the point that he became combative with the officers. He ended up being charged with disorderly based on his behavior there,"said Lt. Tom Marcello, East Greenwich Police Dept.

Catalano's case is expected to go before a Superior Court Grand Jury. He is due back in court June 1. If convicted of all of the charges against him, Catalano faces several decades in prison.