Morganelli is punting because he recently discovered that he is acquainted with some of Scheuermann's family, and knows and has worked with the EEaston police officer whose shots ended Scheuermann's life.
Though he gave no indication how he felt about the matter, Morganelli made the following observations:
- Police had "seconds" to make their decision to use deadly force.
- The Palmer police officer who fired shot into Scheuermann's tire.
- One Easton police officer fired two shots aimed at Scheuermann. .
Morganelli cited three previous examples in which police shootings were referred to the AG. In 1997, then Attorney general Michael Fisher ruled that the shooting of John Hirko by Bethlehem police was justified. In 2005, when Easton Police Officer was killed by a fellow officer, the shooting was deemed accidental. But in 1998, involuntary manslaughter charges were filed against Easton police officer Scott Cameron, who fired at John Rapp after being knocked over by Rapp's truck.
Morganelli waited until now to make the referral because the investigation was still in progress.
11 comments:
While many of us have figured it out, why isn't the officer's identity being disclosed? This a very public matter and secrecy has already led to suspicion.
Referring a case to Kathleen Kane? How reassuring. BTW the name was John Hirko, not Andrew, and the taxpayers of Bethlehem are still paying for that fiasco.
7:20, You are correct. It is John, not Andrew, and i have corrected my post.
5:23, The officer's identity is not being disclosed bc he is under criminal investigation. The need to determine the facts always trumps the public's right to know. One a decision is made to clear or prosecute this officer, his identity will be disclosed.
"This a very public matter and secrecy has already led to suspicion."
I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. Most of us understand that investigators can't really speak about their work. Those with suspicion probably have an agenda or preconceived notion that does not belong in this kind of matter. We know someone was killed by an Easton police officer. Did he have reason to believe that deadly force was necessary to protect himself or others? If so, it is justified. If not, it is manslaughter. I have confidence that prosecutors will get it right, even in the AG's office.
"Referring a case to Kathleen Kane? How reassuring."
He has few options. He can't really seek the appointment of an independent prosecutor and is conflicted.
Bernie -John Hirko was shot in his house by an MP-5 .The cyclic rate is around 10 shots per second . The police had contact with him the day or so earlier and chose not to take him with them then .It appears to have been a show. Then, the fire in the house issue. ---Mr Camron did not shoot John Rapp intentionally.A couple of week earlier an Easton Police detective corners a one man crime spree turd and shoots him though his car in his leg, as he passed by him after ordered to stop. He was a hero for this attempt.So now Camron is out of his JURISDICTION and does not know it, even though we are paying a Public Safety Director,the former police chief of Easton good money. Camron was the worst of F/Handler in his academy class and Rapp moved away from him so he fired. to disable, JUST LIKE what happened on Porter Street.EXCEPT the vehicle here is changing plains and descending away from it's starting point --It's would be a grouse shot with a handgun -impossible.The common denominator here is that almost all members of the bar do not really understand firearm handling and that goes for or Governor ,then Atty General.He knows nothing about them . Almost without excepting and the exception might be Atty. Zulick here locally. Remember what was presented by the factory people when an Easton Officer was shot in the back at the police station about the H&K 40Cal trigger pull?---Nothing.
There was a post from a family member of the decedent that stated it was Sgt. Dominic Marraccini. I don't know if this is true.
Why does Morganelli always punt on a police investigation. This is the problem with the cozy relationship between most DA's and the police. He can't do his own job because he is so tight with these guys. Morganelli has to realize he represents all the people not just the police departments.
The man was shot for no good reason. Too many foirce prone polioc etoday. The are quick to shoot and shoot often.
Anon 5;36 this is why I believe as a layman not an Attorney,that the DA should not show up up at any crime scene. He may compromise the justice system by his presents.What do you think ?
Bernie , for the record, half of the reason I GOT AWAY from State Constable work was that I was afraid that I would eventually pull a trigger on some wise ass as conditions were deteriorating in the West ward at the time. Recently I had my better half, Peggy, E-Mail- set up to Mr.Steckman ,Easton City Administrator -so I could as CITIZEN -TAX PAYER COCHRAN warn him that I felt that a police shooting was eminent based on the amount of 'traffic' with firearms and in the West ward, this was ,as I put it from my military days 'Actuarial' -Well shortly it happened,just like my letter to the Police Chief of Easton that cost us over $6MM usd. I got not return ,but they did.
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