Cops: Chesco brother killed in self defense

The West Goshen man who fatally stabbed his 23-year-old brother during an argument Tuesday acted in self defense, police announced Thursday.

Earle Bonini, 32, and his brother, Nicholas, fought about a power cord for Nicholas' cell phone at their home on the 1200 block of Estate Drive in West Goshen. Nicholas then began beating Earle in the head with a metal chain.

Earle tried to call police during the fight, but Nicholas used the chain to knock the phone out of his brother's hand, police said.

While Nicholas was attacking him, Earle pulled out his knife and stabbed him. Police said he then immediately called 911 and attempted to perform CPR on Nicholas.

Police arrived around 2:30 p.m., and Nicholas was pronounced dead at the scene. Earle was taken to Paoli Hospital, where he was treated for head and hand injuries.

The brothers had a history of arguing with each other, police said.

West Goshen police and Chester County detectives investigated. The Chester County District Attorney's Office ruled the stabbing an act of self defense.

"This is a terrible family tragedy," Tom Hogan, Chester County's district attorney, said in a statement. "Although it was a justifiable act of self defense under Pennsylvania law, it does not diminish the loss for this family."

- Michaelle Bond