Wednesday, January 14, 2004

 

Around Pennsylvania ...

From the Sunbury Daily Item: Trial under way in inmate stabbing death

WILLIAMSPORT — The government and defense agree that Peter N. Georgacarakos was involved in a 1996 fatal stabbing at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, but disagree on whether it was a crime.

The government contends the death of inmate Randall Scott Anderson was premeditated murder. Defense attorney Ronald C. Travis claims the stabbing was justified because Anderson had placed a co-defendant in fear of his life.

From the Erie Times-News: Acquitted teacher sues accusers

A Harbor Creek High School teacher acquitted of sexual-misconduct charges five years ago has filed a lawsuit against the school district, six district employees and three former students.

English teacher James Born is seeking an undisclosed amount in the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County. Born accuses those he's suing of "defaming him and causing him emotional harm and reputational damage," according to the court filing.

From the Allentown Morning Call: Allentown Diocese covered up abuse systematically, suits say

The Catholic Diocese of Allentown systematically covered up decades of sexual abuse by priests through secret files, code words and transfers while assuring victims no other children would be harmed, according to lawsuits by five alleged victims.

In the suits — four of which were filed in Lehigh County and one in Schuylkill County — alleged victims describe how they were abused by priests as children and how the diocese rebuffed their attempts as adults to acknowledge their suffering.

posted by Anne 1/14/2004 06:27:00 AM