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Woman to win $115,000 for #Pittsburgh police fabrication

Legislation has been introduced by Pittsburgh City Council which will pay a woman from North Apollo $115,000 in settlement of a federal lawsuit which accuses the city police of falsely arresting her back in 2010.

The 50 year old woman says that during a hearing for her son in May 2010, she accidently brushed against a witness. Nothing further happened and there was no future contact with the witness.

Her son had been arrested in February 2010 at a bar room scuffle in Station Square by Officer David Honick. However, another officer, Anthony Scarpine said in a criminal affidavit that she had spoken to and elbowed the witness.

In the lawsuit brought by the woman, she maintains that Scarpine made up the details of the incident and in addition alleges that Honick also participated in the false arrest.

There was no comment on the incident from the City Solicitor, Lourdes Sanchez Ridge, nor Howard McQuillan, the President of the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge 1.

There have been a number of false arrest and police brutality cases in the city over the past several years. While the vast majority of police officers are doubtlessly hardworking and honest individuals, these cases show that the public continues to be victim to the occasional police bad apple.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

 

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Do Recent #Pittsburgh Prostitution Busts Confuse Criminal and Victim?

Pittsburgh police reported that a woman from Toledo, Ohio, came to Pittsburgh with her family and then left them at a hotel so that she could go to work as an escort. Nine women in all were arrested for either prostitution or for offenses related to prostitution as part of a sting that was set up by Pittsburgh police. The sting was a coordinated effort between PPD detectives, the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ Human Trafficking Task Force, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Task Force, the Allegheny County Sherriff’s Department, and federal probation officers.

The sting involved responses being sent to a number of escort services through their respective websites requesting that the women meet them at a nearby hotel. Upon arrival the women offered to perform a variety of sexual services for the undercover officers at costs ranging between $200 and $500. The women were all between the ages of 23 and 32, some of whom told police that they had no other way to earn a living.

It is interesting to see how authorities, on one hand, bill certain sex crime arrests as “freeing sex slaves from a life of servitude”, but on the other hand arrest the women – who are allegedly working in the sex field – as if they are the true criminals.

There seems to be a disconnect in our legal system. According to authorities, are sex workers victims or criminals?

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Video Evidence is not always Clear or Conclusive in #CriminalCases

A 41 year old woman from Scott Township has been accused of assaulting her three year old son inside a Walmart store.

Police say the incident, which was recorded by the store’s video surveillance system, was advised to them by a loss prevention officer.  Apparently he followed the suspect around the store and saw the abuse take place. He said that she the woman dragged the boy across the floor, holding him down and putting her knee on top of him. In addition she allegedly punched him in the ribs with her fist. The security guard then allegedly followed her out of the store into the parking lot where he took down her license plate number.

The police subsequently went to the woman’s home in Carnegie, arrested her, and filed charges. They say that she appeared to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol at the time of the event.

She will now be sent a summons charging her with simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Considering the fact that Wal-Mart stores have extensive security cameras, it will be interesting to see the quality of video evidence in this case. Child endangerment is never acceptable or defendable. However, considering the fact that the loss prevention officer reported the crime based on his interpretation of what he saw, police will need far more evidence in order to secure a conviction.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Can Victims of #Pittsburgh Police Beatings file a Lawsuit?

An attorney for a Brentwood man who was arrested in 2012 by Pittsburgh police is filing a lawsuit against the department for abuse he allegedly suffered during the arrest. The incident, which was recorded on video, reportedly shows the man being pulled forcefully from his car through the driver-side window, thrown to the ground, pistol whipped, and assaulted in myriad other ways as he lay on the ground. According to the reports, the video shows that the violent assault took place after the man had surrendered and was shown holding his hands out the car window for the officers to see.

The video tape, which was recently released, apparently serves as strong evidence against the officers in question and the lawsuit being filed by the alleged victim accuses them of civil rights violations and abuse. The arrest was the result of an incident in which officers reported that the suspect ran a red light at high speed on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

People who are arrested are often treated harshly. They may be tackled to the ground, sprayed in the face with pepper spray, or even Tasered. But police are supposed to use force proportional to the threats they face. When police go overboard and use too much force – such as beating a handcuffed suspect – they may open themselves, their departments, and the government, up to civil lawsuits. If you have been the victim of police brutality give our office a call immediately.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Could a Beaver County Sheriff face a Civil Suit? #PittsburghLawyer

A Beaver County sheriff has been under house arrest since he violated his bail last month, and the case against him begins today – which centers around his alleged threatening to shoot a news reporter. He also faces 11 another misdemeanor charges which include obstruction of justice and intimating witnesses.

A political campaign worker, one of sheriff’s alleged victims, said that when he was at the Democratic Party headquarters the sheriff threatened to cut his hands off, eat them and shove them down his throat.

His bail conditions included a ban on holding press conferences on country premises, and he could only be present in the courthouse from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. He was allowed to hunt on his own property, but not to take his weapon to the courthouse.

Last April the sheriff was also in court, where several witnesses described threats he had made to them, including a guard from Beaver County Jail who said the remarks made to him by the Sheriff had made him fear for his life.

In this case the sheriff is facing multiple allegations of multiple violations. If proven culpable his victims may have credible civil cases, especially if his threats resulted in demonstrable harm and damages.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Is a Text Message enough Proof for Guilt in #Pittsburgh #Homicide case?

In February of this year, in a house in Worth Township, a 21 year old woman was discovered by her mother after having died from an overdose of heroin mixed with fentanyl. Her death was not the only death in the area from this particular batch of heroin which was labeled ‘Theraflu’.

Paramedics advised the police that they had found drug paraphernalia at the scene, including a syringe and the bags the drugs came in. In addition, the coroner’s report confirmed that both heroin and fentanyl were found in her body.

After finding a text message from a man to her deceased daughter, in which he advised the woman that he had ‘Theraflu’ for her, the woman’s mother contacted the police. The man was arrested in connection with the overdose and is currently in Butler County Prison on a $100,000 bond.

Police are understandably very concerned about the deaths related to this very dangerous drug cocktail. But, in a case like this, it is important to remember that the alleged text message advising the woman that the man had ‘Theraflu’ for her is not the same as having provided the woman with the drug.  The officials first need to connect the message to the man’s phone, prove he is the one whom sent the message and proved that she in fact received the dangerous drugs from the man that caused her death.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Man Arrested in #Pittsburgh – Wanted for #AlabamaMurder

A man, who was arrested in Pittsburgh on charges of murder, is being processed for extradition to Alabama – where the crime allegedly took place.

A 19 year-old man, who was wanted for capital murder in connection with a December 21, 2013 robbery and murder in Alabama, was recently arrested in Pittsburgh.  The man was identified by Pittsburgh police after Zone 1 officers responded to reports of an assault in the 500 block of W. North Ave.  There they encountered a man who had suffered a head laceration, and assisted in transporting him to Allegheny General Hospital.  Upon running the victim’s information through the National Crime Information Center database, it was discovered that he had an open warrant in the state of Alabama.  Police arrested the suspect after he received medical treatment, and booked him at Allegheny County Jail.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is now processing man for extradition to Alabama.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Man Charged with Defiant Trespass after Entering Pirates’ Field

A man has been charged with defiant trespass after running across the field at PNC Park during a Pittsburgh Pirates game.

The 29 year-old suspect ran across the field at PNC Park during the fifth inning pierogi race, which features mascots racing across the field.  The Chambersburg man was pursued by five members of the park’s staff, who were unable to capture him on the field.  But after hopping over a railing, the man was finally subdued and promptly arrested by police.

The man is being charged with defiant trespass according to Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Sonya Toler.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Suspect still in custody after Stabbing Up to 20 at Area High School

In the latest act of school violence to shock the nation, a 16 year-old teen was arrested after allegedly stabbing and cutting up to 20 people at his high school in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. At the time of this post, the suspect was still incarcerated pending trial.

News reports indicated that as many as 20 people had been stabbed and cut at a Murrysville high school when one of its students ran through the hallway wielding two kitchen knives.  Though authorities have not released the exact number of victims who were injured directly by the attacker, some of the injuries are thought to have been sustained as people fled the commotion.  Four of the victims who sustained serious injuries were taken to local hospitals by helicopter, and doctors say there are 7 victims which suffered serious injuries in total.  All victims are expected to survive.

The incident, which occurred at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, caused classes to be canceled.  Now, with the suspect in custody, the legal battle will begin to determine if he will be charged and tried as an adult, or as a juvenile.  Additionally, the suspect’s mental status will come into play, as he was described as being confused and depressed in the minutes following his arrest.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

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Western Pennsylvania Sweep Nets 5 Arrests for Child Porn

Five men were recently arrested in Western Pennsylvania as a result of an ongoing crackdown against child pornography in the state.

The five men, ages 67, 60, 41, 30, and 32, were all arrested as a result of a sweep conducted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit last week.  Despite being arrested in rapid succession, the men were nevertheless not connected to one another.  Three Philadelphia men were also arrested on child pornography charges during the same time period.

The arrests come as part of a continuing crackdown in Pennsylvania against those who download, share, produce, and distribute child pornography.  Authorities are often able to locate those suspected of crimes involving child pornography by infiltrating and otherwise gaining access to Internet based networks where people trade and distribute the material. Each of the men will be charged and tried in his respective county by state prosecutors.

Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.

If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-315-7441, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.

 

Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney – 412-532-6805