A jury has imposed the death penalty on convicted police killer Richard Poplawski. The 24-year-old shot and killed Pittsburgh officers Paul Sciullo II, Stephen Mayhle and Eric Kelly as they responded to a domestic dispute call in April 2009. It took the jury pulled from Dauphin County just two hours to come to the unanimous decision.
Jurors sentenced Poplawski after hearing tearful testimony from 10 surviving family members. Members of Poplawski's family and former teachers spoke on the shooter’s behalf in an effort to convince the jury that life in prison was the proper sentence. The jury had to decide if the mitigating factors in the shootings tipped the scale toward the life sentence or if the aggravating circumstances rose to the level that the death penalty should be used.
By state law, the verdict and sentence will automatically be appealed.
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Stanley Hoss Crime Victims Look Back
On the same day a jury convicted Richard Poplawski of first-degree murder for fatally shooting three Pittsburgh Police officers, there was a community event in Verona to remember the victims of another notorious criminal who committed his crimes more than 40 years ago. WDUQ’s Alexandria Chaklos was at the event to learn more about the violent life of Stanley B. Hoss.
Listen to the story as it aired on WDUQ 90.5 FM.
Listen to the story as it aired on WDUQ 90.5 FM.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Marinucci Guilty in Daugherty Death
The youngest of the “Greensburg 6” has been convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy and lesser murder charges. The jury deliberated less than four hours Thursday before convicting Angela Marinucci in the February 2010 death of 30-year-old Jennifer Daugherty. Marinucci cannot be put to death because she was 17 at the time of the killing. She does face a mandatory sentence of life without parole.
The jury sat through eight days of testimony outlining 36-hours of torture that was carried out in a Greensburg apartment that ended in Daugherty’s death.
The other five defendants are awaiting separate trials.
The jury sat through eight days of testimony outlining 36-hours of torture that was carried out in a Greensburg apartment that ended in Daugherty’s death.
The other five defendants are awaiting separate trials.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Child Porn Ring Broken But "Industry" Keeps Growing
A 43 year old man who went by the screen name "Mr. Tinkertrain" became the 8th and final member of an online pornography ring to be sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh Thursday. David Dean of Arizona was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
Member of the group posted and shared thousands of images and videos in a private room on the popular social networking site Multiply.com.
"The abuse in this case was shocking and involved graphic sexual assault of children as young as two and four years old," said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton. "There is little in this world that is more depraved than that."
The eight men who were considered to be leading the group all pleaded guilty. Investigators identified at least 150 other member, 22 of them have been prosecuted.
"The people who commit these crimes do not just stop with one photograph or one video," said Morton. "They search out photograph after photograph, video after video, they exchange new materials and seek out fresh images. With every photography, every new video, comes a new victim."
Morton and David Hickton, U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania, said that despite their efforts the child pornography industry is growing because Morton says "the Internet has allowed this particular crime to occur in different and more aggressive ways than in the past."
Member of the group posted and shared thousands of images and videos in a private room on the popular social networking site Multiply.com.
"The abuse in this case was shocking and involved graphic sexual assault of children as young as two and four years old," said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton. "There is little in this world that is more depraved than that."
The eight men who were considered to be leading the group all pleaded guilty. Investigators identified at least 150 other member, 22 of them have been prosecuted.
"The people who commit these crimes do not just stop with one photograph or one video," said Morton. "They search out photograph after photograph, video after video, they exchange new materials and seek out fresh images. With every photography, every new video, comes a new victim."
Morton and David Hickton, U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania, said that despite their efforts the child pornography industry is growing because Morton says "the Internet has allowed this particular crime to occur in different and more aggressive ways than in the past."
Friday, May 6, 2011
"Bath Salts" Ban Could Happen By End of June
A bill outlawing the paranoia-inducing chemicals passed the House on a unanimous vote earlier this year, and a similar measure could clear a Senate committee next week.
Republican Senator Elder Vogel of Beaver County said a statewide ban is critical, even though many municipalities have already made the substances illegal. “Because a lot of police departments are asking for it. The DAs are asking for it. I mean, the state district attorneys association is very supportive of the issue,” he said. “It’s a real issue in the southeast, but it’s also becoming more of an issue in the west and southwest here.”
Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, said it’s not clear whether the Senate will approve the House bill, or pass its own measure. “. That’s a very common negotiation that we have with House leadership,” he explained. “That hasn’t been set yet. But one way or the other we are optimistic we can get a bill to the governor’s desk on that before the budget is done, or around the same time the budget is done in June.”
The latest high-profile warning sign of bath salts’ danger comes from West Virginia, where a man was arrested this week for killing a neighbor’s goat while wearing high heels and women’s’ underwear. He told authorities he had been high on bath salts for days, when they arrested him on animal cruelty charges.
Republican Senator Elder Vogel of Beaver County said a statewide ban is critical, even though many municipalities have already made the substances illegal. “Because a lot of police departments are asking for it. The DAs are asking for it. I mean, the state district attorneys association is very supportive of the issue,” he said. “It’s a real issue in the southeast, but it’s also becoming more of an issue in the west and southwest here.”
Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, said it’s not clear whether the Senate will approve the House bill, or pass its own measure. “. That’s a very common negotiation that we have with House leadership,” he explained. “That hasn’t been set yet. But one way or the other we are optimistic we can get a bill to the governor’s desk on that before the budget is done, or around the same time the budget is done in June.”
The latest high-profile warning sign of bath salts’ danger comes from West Virginia, where a man was arrested this week for killing a neighbor’s goat while wearing high heels and women’s’ underwear. He told authorities he had been high on bath salts for days, when they arrested him on animal cruelty charges.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
"Castle Doctrine" Passes PA House
Once again, a measure expanding the right to deadly self defense and eliminating a threatened person’s “duty to retreat” before defending himself has passed the Pennsylvania House by an overwhelming margin. The chamber approved the so-called “Castle Doctrine” bill on a 164-37 vote, after a lengthy and at times bizarre debate.
Democrats spent much of their floor time questioning Republican sponsor Scott Perry on hypothetical situations the bill would and wouldn’t cover. Noting the private property people can protect with deadly force includes motorized vehicles, Democrat Mike Gerber asked whether that would extend to motorcycles. “It’s a vehicle that moves people, it’s got a motor,” he reasoned. After Perry said Gerber’s assumption was correct, the Democrat continued, “Now it says, whether or not motorized. Would it also apply to a bicycle?”
“It does,” Perry replied. “However, solely relying on the definition isn’t enough, because the law also requires forcible entry. And it’s hard to establish how one forcibly enters a bicycle.”
Democrat Steve Santarsiero grilled Perry on whether people could shoot anyone who enters their home, asking, “the person against whom the force is going to be used has to both unlawfully and forcefully enter into a dwelling or residence, is that correct?” Yes, said Perry. “We’re trying to protect the individual who might be coming over to borrow a cup of sugar or an egg or something like that from being randomly shot by his or her neighbor, obviously.”
The hypotheticals reached their peak with this question from Democrat Margo Davidson: “If the gentleman from Butler County [Daryl Metcalfe] stood yelling, knowing that he’s a gun-toter, and I felt threatened, would I be protected under court law if I blew his brains out?” Speaker Sam Smith immediately chastised Davidson and struck her comment from the House record.
This incarnation of House Bill 40 is different from last year’s in a few key ways. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association opposed the vetoed measure last year, calling it a “defense attorney’s dream.” The group’s president, Ed Marsico, was worried the bill would make it easier for murder suspects to gain acquittals through self-defense arguments. The PDAA worked alongside Republican leaders to add new language to the new bill: now defendants need to legally own the guns they use to protect themselves, and need to visually spot a weapon on the aggressor before shooting. “The amendments make the bill much better – a little bit tighter – in that respect,” said Marsico. “We’re still concerned. I’m sure we’ll still see claims that individuals were acting in self-defense, claiming they did not have a duty to retreat, once this bill passes. But we hope to have limited them as much as possible.”
While House Bill 40 is different from last year’s legislation, it’s identical to the bill the Senate passed earlier this year. The House could have sent legislation to Governor Corbett’s desk by approving Senate Bill 273. Now, at least one more vote will need to take place. Chalk that up to turf battles. “It’s known across Pennsylvania as House Bill 40. It’s not known as some Senate bill,” said Perry, pointing to last year’s legislative battle, and later referring to the twin measure as “some Senate bill that somebody put their name on.” (That “somebody” is Republican Richard Alloway.) “With all due respect to the Senate and to Senator Alloway, we appreciate the support but there’s a lot of people that have a lot of vested interest and time over years,” said Perry.
Democrats spent much of their floor time questioning Republican sponsor Scott Perry on hypothetical situations the bill would and wouldn’t cover. Noting the private property people can protect with deadly force includes motorized vehicles, Democrat Mike Gerber asked whether that would extend to motorcycles. “It’s a vehicle that moves people, it’s got a motor,” he reasoned. After Perry said Gerber’s assumption was correct, the Democrat continued, “Now it says, whether or not motorized. Would it also apply to a bicycle?”
“It does,” Perry replied. “However, solely relying on the definition isn’t enough, because the law also requires forcible entry. And it’s hard to establish how one forcibly enters a bicycle.”
Democrat Steve Santarsiero grilled Perry on whether people could shoot anyone who enters their home, asking, “the person against whom the force is going to be used has to both unlawfully and forcefully enter into a dwelling or residence, is that correct?” Yes, said Perry. “We’re trying to protect the individual who might be coming over to borrow a cup of sugar or an egg or something like that from being randomly shot by his or her neighbor, obviously.”
The hypotheticals reached their peak with this question from Democrat Margo Davidson: “If the gentleman from Butler County [Daryl Metcalfe] stood yelling, knowing that he’s a gun-toter, and I felt threatened, would I be protected under court law if I blew his brains out?” Speaker Sam Smith immediately chastised Davidson and struck her comment from the House record.
This incarnation of House Bill 40 is different from last year’s in a few key ways. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association opposed the vetoed measure last year, calling it a “defense attorney’s dream.” The group’s president, Ed Marsico, was worried the bill would make it easier for murder suspects to gain acquittals through self-defense arguments. The PDAA worked alongside Republican leaders to add new language to the new bill: now defendants need to legally own the guns they use to protect themselves, and need to visually spot a weapon on the aggressor before shooting. “The amendments make the bill much better – a little bit tighter – in that respect,” said Marsico. “We’re still concerned. I’m sure we’ll still see claims that individuals were acting in self-defense, claiming they did not have a duty to retreat, once this bill passes. But we hope to have limited them as much as possible.”
While House Bill 40 is different from last year’s legislation, it’s identical to the bill the Senate passed earlier this year. The House could have sent legislation to Governor Corbett’s desk by approving Senate Bill 273. Now, at least one more vote will need to take place. Chalk that up to turf battles. “It’s known across Pennsylvania as House Bill 40. It’s not known as some Senate bill,” said Perry, pointing to last year’s legislative battle, and later referring to the twin measure as “some Senate bill that somebody put their name on.” (That “somebody” is Republican Richard Alloway.) “With all due respect to the Senate and to Senator Alloway, we appreciate the support but there’s a lot of people that have a lot of vested interest and time over years,” said Perry.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hearing on DNA Backlog Finds Progress
When Pennsylvania State Representative Larry Farnese (D- Philadelphia) learned that a serial rapist in his hometown might have been able to continue his crime spree because police did not have DNA evidence that could have linked him to multiple crimes, he called for a hearing to find out what was going on with the system. Police records show they had the DNA of the accused rapist in hand for nearly three months before it was added to the database where it could be matched to the other crimes.
What Farnese found was that at one time the state DNA lab was working with an 80-day backlog, which has been whittled down to 60 days in recent months. Farnese says the goal is to get it down to 14 days in the near future. However, he notes that in many European countries a one-week backlog is considered to be unacceptable.
Farnese says during the hearing it became clear to him that the employees in the lab are working as hard as they can. He says the number of employees and the equipment available limits the lab’s workload.
While funding levels were not specifically part of the hearing, Farnese says there was discussion on how to best use the state’s assets, including privatization options. “We determined based upon the hearing that it would cost more to box, protect and ship, then get them back and upload those samples, than it would to do it in house,” says Farnese. “So it is actually more inefficient to ship these to a third party testing lab.” Farnese says last year the state lab processed DNA samples from 1,924 active crime cases and uploaded 23,938 DNA profiles to the database.
The hearing comes as legislation that would increase the number of crimes for which DNA testing is done is making its way through the state legislature. Some believe that bill could increase the number of DNA samples processed by the lab by 400%.
What Farnese found was that at one time the state DNA lab was working with an 80-day backlog, which has been whittled down to 60 days in recent months. Farnese says the goal is to get it down to 14 days in the near future. However, he notes that in many European countries a one-week backlog is considered to be unacceptable.
Farnese says during the hearing it became clear to him that the employees in the lab are working as hard as they can. He says the number of employees and the equipment available limits the lab’s workload.
While funding levels were not specifically part of the hearing, Farnese says there was discussion on how to best use the state’s assets, including privatization options. “We determined based upon the hearing that it would cost more to box, protect and ship, then get them back and upload those samples, than it would to do it in house,” says Farnese. “So it is actually more inefficient to ship these to a third party testing lab.” Farnese says last year the state lab processed DNA samples from 1,924 active crime cases and uploaded 23,938 DNA profiles to the database.
The hearing comes as legislation that would increase the number of crimes for which DNA testing is done is making its way through the state legislature. Some believe that bill could increase the number of DNA samples processed by the lab by 400%.
State Police Commissioner: New DNA Testing Would Swamp Dept.
A new bill expanding Pennsylvania’s DNA testing is raising logistical concerns for the Commonwealth’s acting State Police Commissioner.
The measure, authored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, would collect DNA samples from people arrested for felonies and eight misdemeanors. The legislation broadens the scope of crimes leading to automatic DNA tests. It also shifts the timing of the swabbing, from after a conviction to after arrest. The bill would require the destruction of DNA samples for people found “not guilty.”
Governor Tom Corbett , Pennsylvania's former Attorney General, hasn't decided if he would sign the measure if it's passed.
"I don’t have a problem with a database of somebody who has been arrested and convicted. I think they have to be convicted. I haven’t read the bill so give me fair comment, but my personal opinion: if somebody is arrested, if you’re going to take DNA it has to be -- arrested, take the DNA, but it goes in a database after conviction."
At a recent budget hearing, Acting Commissioner Frank Noonan said the legislation would increase Pennsylvania’s DNA processing caseloads by 400 percent. “We will need about 35 analysts. The equipment’s very expensive. We would have to consume other equipment, as well as a facility,” he said. “And the one thing – I would just like to caution it is not something that people could say, ‘ok, go and do it,’ and we could just flip a switch. … It would take at least a year for us to get ready. It takes at least a year to train these analysts. So it’s something that – if we do decide to do it it has to be planned, there has to be a planned growth to our DNA laboratory.”
Noonan says the increase could cost more than $13 million dollars. A Pileggi spokesman is skeptical of the estimate, saying other states have made similar transitions at a cost of less than $2 million.
The measure, authored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, would collect DNA samples from people arrested for felonies and eight misdemeanors. The legislation broadens the scope of crimes leading to automatic DNA tests. It also shifts the timing of the swabbing, from after a conviction to after arrest. The bill would require the destruction of DNA samples for people found “not guilty.”
Governor Tom Corbett , Pennsylvania's former Attorney General, hasn't decided if he would sign the measure if it's passed.
"I don’t have a problem with a database of somebody who has been arrested and convicted. I think they have to be convicted. I haven’t read the bill so give me fair comment, but my personal opinion: if somebody is arrested, if you’re going to take DNA it has to be -- arrested, take the DNA, but it goes in a database after conviction."
At a recent budget hearing, Acting Commissioner Frank Noonan said the legislation would increase Pennsylvania’s DNA processing caseloads by 400 percent. “We will need about 35 analysts. The equipment’s very expensive. We would have to consume other equipment, as well as a facility,” he said. “And the one thing – I would just like to caution it is not something that people could say, ‘ok, go and do it,’ and we could just flip a switch. … It would take at least a year for us to get ready. It takes at least a year to train these analysts. So it’s something that – if we do decide to do it it has to be planned, there has to be a planned growth to our DNA laboratory.”
Noonan says the increase could cost more than $13 million dollars. A Pileggi spokesman is skeptical of the estimate, saying other states have made similar transitions at a cost of less than $2 million.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
New Benchbook Will Set Pars for Sex Crime Cases
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has released a new manual to help state District Court judges in sex crime cases.
Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin says the “benchbook” is an update of a 2007 version for Common Pleas judges, compiling newer standards and ‘best practices’ for judges taking part in sexual offense cases.
Eakin says the new book updates sexual assault definitions, addresses practical aspects (such as setting bail), and includes resources and references on sexual assault and rape crisis centers.
“There are sensitivities and intricacies in sexual assault cases that are unique to it, and this was an effort to give the front line courts something to help them recognize issues and deal with the things that are unique to this type of crime,” says Eakin.
Eakin says the Benchbook Advisory Committee that crafted the manual included a mix of prosecutors, defense attorneys, researchers, and other practitioners to ensure there was no bias toward either the victim or the accused.
Superior Court Judge Jack Panella was the book’s principal author; he also wrote the 2007 version for Common Pleas Courts.
Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin says the “benchbook” is an update of a 2007 version for Common Pleas judges, compiling newer standards and ‘best practices’ for judges taking part in sexual offense cases.
Eakin says the new book updates sexual assault definitions, addresses practical aspects (such as setting bail), and includes resources and references on sexual assault and rape crisis centers.
“There are sensitivities and intricacies in sexual assault cases that are unique to it, and this was an effort to give the front line courts something to help them recognize issues and deal with the things that are unique to this type of crime,” says Eakin.
Eakin says the Benchbook Advisory Committee that crafted the manual included a mix of prosecutors, defense attorneys, researchers, and other practitioners to ensure there was no bias toward either the victim or the accused.
Superior Court Judge Jack Panella was the book’s principal author; he also wrote the 2007 version for Common Pleas Courts.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Megan's Law Loopholes
The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association is calling on the legislature to eliminate loopholes in Megan's Law which requires sex offenders to register with the state.The D.A.'s group says a gap in the law allows out-of-state sex offenders to come into Pennsylvania and not be penalized for not joining the Pennsylvania Sex Offenders Registry.
The state's prosecutors are seeking to plug a loophole in Megan's Law that allows convicted sex offenders moving to Pennsylvania and homeless offenders to escape penalties for failing to register.
Greg Rowe, the legislative liaison for the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Office Association says that this is a broad Public Safety issue.
"District Attorneys from around the state in many different counties have experienced this problem."
Dave Freed, Cumberland County District Attorney, says he has seen at least six of these loophole cases in his county, and that the legislation just corrects the original drafting problems.
"It's not that anyone in the legislature wanted to protect out of state offenders or protect homeless offenders it was simply that the drafting didn't cover it. What this fix does is cover it, and closes the loopholes."
State Representative Bryan Cutler is the co-sponsor of the bill that has passed the House. Cutler says that it's hard to tell how many out of state offenders are out there.
"I don't know that we can have an estimate at this time because they're not required to register under some of the offenses and some of the loopholes that are out there."
Language to remove these loopholes was included in Castle Doctrine legislation that was approved last November but vetoed by then Governor Ed Rendell. The Castle Doctrine bill would have expanded a citizen's right to use deadly force to defend himself.
The state's prosecutors are seeking to plug a loophole in Megan's Law that allows convicted sex offenders moving to Pennsylvania and homeless offenders to escape penalties for failing to register.
Greg Rowe, the legislative liaison for the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Office Association says that this is a broad Public Safety issue.
"District Attorneys from around the state in many different counties have experienced this problem."
Dave Freed, Cumberland County District Attorney, says he has seen at least six of these loophole cases in his county, and that the legislation just corrects the original drafting problems.
"It's not that anyone in the legislature wanted to protect out of state offenders or protect homeless offenders it was simply that the drafting didn't cover it. What this fix does is cover it, and closes the loopholes."
State Representative Bryan Cutler is the co-sponsor of the bill that has passed the House. Cutler says that it's hard to tell how many out of state offenders are out there.
"I don't know that we can have an estimate at this time because they're not required to register under some of the offenses and some of the loopholes that are out there."
Language to remove these loopholes was included in Castle Doctrine legislation that was approved last November but vetoed by then Governor Ed Rendell. The Castle Doctrine bill would have expanded a citizen's right to use deadly force to defend himself.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
City Councilman Hears from Community on Police Accountability
A Tuesday night hearing at the Shiloh Community Missionary Baptist Church in Homewood addressed upcoming legislation for more police transparency. Pittsburgh Councilman Ricky Burgess' bill would establish policy for off-duty police, and compel the Pittsburgh Police Bureau to produce an annual report on the make-up of the police force; any legal action against police officers; average response times; arrests by charge, race and gender by zone and specialized units; conviction rates and traffic stops as well as recruitment and retention.
Burgess says that a lot of people are interested in the duties and requirements of off-duty police officers. "I think there needs to be a clear policy that states what off duty police officers should and should not do, and what is the responsibility and the city's commitment to them so that both sides are clear. I think that recent events have lead us to need to have that process clarified."
He says that the majority of his constituents are behind him and that he has not yet heard from the opposition directly. Burgess is willing to make compromises to his legislation but believes that the conversation and public discussion is incredibly important.
Councilman Burgess' legislation was proposed after allegations of police brutality against 18 year old Jordan Miles, who was allegedly beaten by 3 plain clothed officers while walking to his grandmother's house in Homewood.
Burgess says that a lot of people are interested in the duties and requirements of off-duty police officers. "I think there needs to be a clear policy that states what off duty police officers should and should not do, and what is the responsibility and the city's commitment to them so that both sides are clear. I think that recent events have lead us to need to have that process clarified."
He says that the majority of his constituents are behind him and that he has not yet heard from the opposition directly. Burgess is willing to make compromises to his legislation but believes that the conversation and public discussion is incredibly important.
Councilman Burgess' legislation was proposed after allegations of police brutality against 18 year old Jordan Miles, who was allegedly beaten by 3 plain clothed officers while walking to his grandmother's house in Homewood.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Speakers Testify on City Police Reform Legislation
Experts from law enforcement, academia and the legal arena spoke out in support of proposed police reform legislation at Pittsburgh Council Thursday. The post-agenda meeting centered on an ordinance drafted by Councilman Ricky Burgess that would require routine data collection by officers and law enforcement administrators. That data would include everything from routine traffic stops to incidents involving the use of force. The information would be published in an annual public report that would specify the make-up of the police force; any legal action against police officers; average response times; arrests by charge, race and gender by zone and specialized units; conviction rates and traffic stops as well as recruitment and retention. Vic Walczak, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania says in the 1990's Pittsburgh police were forced to abide by a consent decree that help bring the department in line. But he says he's sure the police union will come out against the legislation as hamstringing their operations, "that is demonstrably false because other police departments around the country do it, and the city of Pittsburgh police department has done it--they were forced to do it under the consent decree--and crime went down." Walczak says there's a perception in the black community that it is under siege, "and until and unless the city measures what their officers are doing and publicizes it, they can't credibly come out and say there's no problem." Wayne Babish, a former police officer and adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh supports the legislation and says over time, police officers will recognize its benefits, "a police chief would welcome and view this proposed legislation as an opportunity to communicate and collaborate with elected officials." Burgess' legislation was sparked by the alleged beating of Jordan Miles, a black high-school student, by white, plain-clothed police officers in Homewood in January 2010. An investigation into that incident is still pending.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Crackdown on Mortgage Fraud
The Mortgage Fraud Task Force of the U.S. Attorney's Office is marking its 3rd anniversary today with the filing of charges against another 14 individuals connected to 7 different fraudulent schemes.
U.S. Attorney David Hickton says in those 3 years, 105 defendants have been charged with 75 of them convicted or pleading guilty, and the remaining cases are pending..."this is a very important priority for this office."
Hickton says he believes that the mortgage fraud problem has peaked and that the task force has been a factor....
"We also have to acknowledge that the environment which created this with less restrictions has been remedied by the banking community and others. So, we think the problem is on the wane, but it's still there."
Hickton says over the last 3 years the indictments have involved 2,500 properties and $500 million in fraudulent loans, and that anyone who participates in the fraudulent transactions should be aware....
"If it's the seller, the borrower, the closing agent, the mortgage broker or the appraiser, they're all potential targets of these prosecutions."
According to Hickton, mortgage fraud is a double whammy for owners trying to pay for their homes...
"It hits many of our communities where people are struggling. It leaves people in a position where the community has been affected, homes are abandoned, families are victimized and then it can lead to a secondary level of crime where the abandoned home becomes a site of secondary criminal activity."
Hickton says there are no plans to end the work of this task force.
U.S. Attorney David Hickton says in those 3 years, 105 defendants have been charged with 75 of them convicted or pleading guilty, and the remaining cases are pending..."this is a very important priority for this office."
Hickton says he believes that the mortgage fraud problem has peaked and that the task force has been a factor....
"We also have to acknowledge that the environment which created this with less restrictions has been remedied by the banking community and others. So, we think the problem is on the wane, but it's still there."
Hickton says over the last 3 years the indictments have involved 2,500 properties and $500 million in fraudulent loans, and that anyone who participates in the fraudulent transactions should be aware....
"If it's the seller, the borrower, the closing agent, the mortgage broker or the appraiser, they're all potential targets of these prosecutions."
According to Hickton, mortgage fraud is a double whammy for owners trying to pay for their homes...
"It hits many of our communities where people are struggling. It leaves people in a position where the community has been affected, homes are abandoned, families are victimized and then it can lead to a secondary level of crime where the abandoned home becomes a site of secondary criminal activity."
Hickton says there are no plans to end the work of this task force.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Guilty Plea in Killing of FBI Special Agent
Under an agreement with federal prosecutors, 42 year old Christina Korbe has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and a firearms charge in connection with the fatal shooting of FBI Special Agent Samuel Hicks November 19, 2008. Hicks and other law enforcement officers came to Korbe's Indiana Township, Allegheny County home to serve an arrest warrant on her husband, Robert Korbe, for drug trafficking charges.
Christina Korbe fired a single shot, killing Hicks. She claimed she thought it was a home invasion and that she fired in self defense. Korbe was to read a letter to the Hicks family saying that she was "deeply, deeply sorry" and asking forgiveness.
But the letter also blames the "unnecessary tactics of the FBI" and accused the agency of fabricating evidence and said the chances of getting a fair trial were "almost impossible."
She is to be sentenced this morning.
Christina Korbe fired a single shot, killing Hicks. She claimed she thought it was a home invasion and that she fired in self defense. Korbe was to read a letter to the Hicks family saying that she was "deeply, deeply sorry" and asking forgiveness.
But the letter also blames the "unnecessary tactics of the FBI" and accused the agency of fabricating evidence and said the chances of getting a fair trial were "almost impossible."
She is to be sentenced this morning.
Plea Deal in Killing of FBI Agent
The Allegheny County woman accused of killing an FBI agent at her Indiana Township home is expected to plead guilty at this hour in to charges in connection with that shooting. Christina Korbe is appearing before U.S. District Judge Terrence McVerry. It was on November 19, 2008 when FBI Special Agent Samuel Hicks was shot to death. He was part of a law enforcement team conducting a raid on the home to arrest Korbe's husband on drug trafficking charges. Christina Korbe claimed she fired the gun in self defense thinking it was a home invasion. Family members claim she's accepting the plea deal because she would not have gotten a fair trial.
Federal prosecutors had said they would not seek the death penalty.
Federal prosecutors had said they would not seek the death penalty.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Rendell; Death Penalty Appeals Should be Streamlined
Governor Ed Rendell says lawmakers should either reform or end Pennsylvania’s death penalty system.
On the last working day of his administration, Rendell said an “endless appeal process” has made Pennsylvania’s death penalty effectively nonexistent.
"16 cases that I prosecuted as district attorney are on death row. I haven’t been district attorney for 25 years. It makes no sense. Again, it is not a deterrent to the criminals out on the street, because it is not a reality."
There are 217 people on death row, but only three have been executed since 1978, and none since 1999. Rendell says lawmakers need to figure out how to expedite the appeals process, or consider eliminating the death penalty through a constitutional amendment.
Andy Hoover of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania says Rendell is wrong...
"The governor’s suggestion that this process can somehow be streamlined and made faster just really isn’t possible. Because then you increase the risk of executing an innocent person."
Hoover points out one Pennsylvania death row inmate, Nick Yarris, served 21 years in prison before he was exonerated through DNA evidence.
Richard Long, the executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, says Rendell is right to be frustrated – but he says ending the death penalty isn’t the answer.
"We continue to talk extensively within our group about what can be done to make the death penalty a real death penalty, and an effective deterrent."
Since 1978, three people have been executed in Pennsylvania. Rendell's successor, Tom Corbett, who will be inaugurated as governor Tuesday, supports capital punishment,
On the last working day of his administration, Rendell said an “endless appeal process” has made Pennsylvania’s death penalty effectively nonexistent.
"16 cases that I prosecuted as district attorney are on death row. I haven’t been district attorney for 25 years. It makes no sense. Again, it is not a deterrent to the criminals out on the street, because it is not a reality."
There are 217 people on death row, but only three have been executed since 1978, and none since 1999. Rendell says lawmakers need to figure out how to expedite the appeals process, or consider eliminating the death penalty through a constitutional amendment.
Andy Hoover of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania says Rendell is wrong...
"The governor’s suggestion that this process can somehow be streamlined and made faster just really isn’t possible. Because then you increase the risk of executing an innocent person."
Hoover points out one Pennsylvania death row inmate, Nick Yarris, served 21 years in prison before he was exonerated through DNA evidence.
Richard Long, the executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, says Rendell is right to be frustrated – but he says ending the death penalty isn’t the answer.
"We continue to talk extensively within our group about what can be done to make the death penalty a real death penalty, and an effective deterrent."
Since 1978, three people have been executed in Pennsylvania. Rendell's successor, Tom Corbett, who will be inaugurated as governor Tuesday, supports capital punishment,
Monday, January 3, 2011
Coalition Against Violence: Stop The Killings
In reaction to published reports that the rate at which Pittsburgh Police are able to solve or “clear” homicide cases slipped in 2010, the co-convener of the Coalition Against Violence says his hope is to get the number of murders to as close to zero as possible. Co-convener Tim Stevens says, “We literally must have a zero tolerance for violence. We have to put value on life, and somewhere along the line, it appears we have begun to devalue life because how can you explain our ability to so quickly and so readily kill each other with guns?”
Stevens says it is extremely important to the community and to the families of the victims to have the crimes solved. “They know they will not get their loved ones back, but at least to know that the person who did the crime is found and is serving time is helpful to their mental health, and the mental health of the community in that people are off the streets who need to be off the streets,” says Stevens. He says that begins with better police/community relations. He says he hopes that will be a focus of everyone in 2011. Stevens believes residents need to understand that police have a very tough job, but police need to understand how much power they have. “They have the ability to possible kill you and it needs to be handled in a very diligent and protective manner so that the community can give the police as much respect as possible.”
Stevens says the relationship between police and the black community was damaged by the beating of Jordan Miles and it will take a great deal of effort to over come that damage. However, he says the community must work with police whenever they have information. He says it is not “snitching” to help the police. “My understanding is ‘snitching’ is between those who are committing crimes, snitching on others who are committing crimes. We are talking about the community who is not committing crimes, to share information with police, which hopefully will help the crimes be solved more expeditiously,” says Stevens.
The Post Gazette reports the clearance rate in 2010 fell to 50% from 72% in 2009. However, there are still cases pending in court and police are still working on other cases that could result in arrests this year.
Stevens says it is extremely important to the community and to the families of the victims to have the crimes solved. “They know they will not get their loved ones back, but at least to know that the person who did the crime is found and is serving time is helpful to their mental health, and the mental health of the community in that people are off the streets who need to be off the streets,” says Stevens. He says that begins with better police/community relations. He says he hopes that will be a focus of everyone in 2011. Stevens believes residents need to understand that police have a very tough job, but police need to understand how much power they have. “They have the ability to possible kill you and it needs to be handled in a very diligent and protective manner so that the community can give the police as much respect as possible.”
Stevens says the relationship between police and the black community was damaged by the beating of Jordan Miles and it will take a great deal of effort to over come that damage. However, he says the community must work with police whenever they have information. He says it is not “snitching” to help the police. “My understanding is ‘snitching’ is between those who are committing crimes, snitching on others who are committing crimes. We are talking about the community who is not committing crimes, to share information with police, which hopefully will help the crimes be solved more expeditiously,” says Stevens.
The Post Gazette reports the clearance rate in 2010 fell to 50% from 72% in 2009. However, there are still cases pending in court and police are still working on other cases that could result in arrests this year.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
4 Year Old Liberty Boro Boy Accidentally Shoots Self
Allegheny County Police continue to investigate the shooting death of the 4 year old son of a police officer. Authorities are still trying to determine how Gavin Thompson accessed his father's service hand gun in the family home and why it fired. Liberty Borough Police Chief Luke Riley says it appears the boy found the gun in a closet and then accidentally shot himself. The victim's father, John Thompson is a full-time police officer in Port Vue and works part-time for the Liberty Borough Police Department. He has been placed on administrative leave by both departments pending an investigation.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Conference on Forensic Death Investigation
"Cause of Death” is the topic of the 10th annual conference at the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Duquesne University today and tomorrow. Speakers include forensic experts, criminal investigators, attorneys, and judges presenting the latest methods and strategies in forensic science.
The first presentation was by Dr. Henry Lee, a prominent forensic scientist most people have seen on TV in high profile court cases. He says the ever-growing forensic database and new instruments and equipment offer unprecedented opportunities for gathering physical evidence at crime scenes.
Dr. Cyril Wecht, chairman of the Institute’s advisory board, says prospective jurors today tend to expect definitive physical evidence, though it doesn’t always exist, and they get angry when disappointed, so defense attorneys and prosecutors may ask if people in the jury pool watch CSI.
Dr. Lee says it’s the prosecutor’s job to explain the physical evidence, or lack thereof, to the jury, and he’s found juries to be eminently reasonable.
Dr. Wecht says the field of forensics grows in sophistication constantly, but there's been no earth-shaking discovery since DNA forensic profiling became possible in the mid-1980s.
The first presentation was by Dr. Henry Lee, a prominent forensic scientist most people have seen on TV in high profile court cases. He says the ever-growing forensic database and new instruments and equipment offer unprecedented opportunities for gathering physical evidence at crime scenes.
Dr. Cyril Wecht, chairman of the Institute’s advisory board, says prospective jurors today tend to expect definitive physical evidence, though it doesn’t always exist, and they get angry when disappointed, so defense attorneys and prosecutors may ask if people in the jury pool watch CSI.
Dr. Lee says it’s the prosecutor’s job to explain the physical evidence, or lack thereof, to the jury, and he’s found juries to be eminently reasonable.
Dr. Wecht says the field of forensics grows in sophistication constantly, but there's been no earth-shaking discovery since DNA forensic profiling became possible in the mid-1980s.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Jail Guards Charged in Beating of Inmate
Two Allegheny County jail guards have been charged in the beating of inmate David Kipp. Arii Metz and Marcia Williams, both with ten years on the job were charged with several counts. Metz was charged with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy, among other counts. Williams was with criminal conspiracy, un-sworn falsification to authorities, obstruction of the administration of law and official oppression. Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said both Williams and Metz and a third guard, Timothy Miller, are suspended without pay and a preliminary hearing will be held next week. The alleged beating took place in the intake/processing department and Allegheny County Jail Warden Ramon Rustin says that while there are cameras throughout the facility, they don't capture everything, "This area in our processing, I don't consider it a blind spot, but it doesn't capture every single area." Kipp was taken to the county jail on October 13 on drug and assault charges with no visible facial wounds. But when he showed up for a hearing he had visible bruising and bandages on his face and his defense attorney Kevin Abromovitz told he judge his client suffered a broken nose and perforated eardrum and he didn't believe the injuries were caused by another inmate. FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Rodriguez says civil rights charges under the color of law code are pending against one or more of the corrections officers.
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