Pittsburgh Public Schools Chief of Staff Lamar Blackwell is still in one of the district's most powerful central office roles, even after he was charged with strangulation and simple assault following an alleged confrontation at a South Side home. The criminal case is moving ahead while Blackwell continues to work inside the superintendent's inner circle.
WTAE reports that police were called to the home after a woman told officers Blackwell grabbed and choked her during an argument. The allegations appear in a criminal complaint, and the charges remain accusations. Blackwell has not been convicted of any crime.
The district told WTAE in an emailed statement that Blackwell is continuing to serve as chief of staff while the legal process plays out. The Pittsburgh Public Schools leadership page still lists him in the role, with no public signal that he has been suspended or removed.
Blackwell Was Appointed In 2024
Blackwell stepped into the chief of staff job in May 2024 after Superintendent Wayne Walters appointed him and the school board signed off on the hire. The New Pittsburgh Courier reported that his responsibilities include working closely with Walters and overseeing the district's general administration.
Before joining the school district, Blackwell led the Pittsburgh region of BUILD, a K-12 entrepreneurship education nonprofit, and previously worked with the Center for Employment Opportunities. Walters framed the appointment at the time as a move to strengthen the district's operations and long-term strategy.
What The Strangulation Charge Means
Under Pennsylvania General Assembly statutes, strangulation is defined as knowingly or intentionally impeding another person's breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the throat or neck, or by blocking the nose and mouth. The law specifies that prosecutors do not need to prove physical injury to pursue the charge.
According to the criminal complaint cited by WTAE, Blackwell is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in September. That hearing will be an early test of whether the case advances further in court, while the allegations remain unresolved in the criminal justice system.
