Rock Climber Indicted on Manslaughter Charge in Alleged Fatal Attack

A Virginia rock climber has been indicted on a federal charge of voluntary manslaughter in the death of a fellow climber at a Maryland park in December, according to a report from The Washington Post.

David DiPaolo, 31, of Bristow, was arrested earlier this month.

On Dec. 28, authorities found Geoffrey Farrar, 69, at the base of a cliff near the Billy Goat Trail in Montgomery County. He was bleeding from the head in what was initially thought to be a climbing accident. 

Instead, the injuries are believed to have been caused by a claw hammer found at the scene, according to the Post.

DiPaolo reportedly claimed to police that Farrar tried to choke him and that he hit Farrar in the head with the hammer in self defense.