The victim was present in the courtroom. Seated right behind him was Sultana's husband, Muhammad Nadeem Qayyum. He is a former candidate for Magisterial District Judge on Easton's south side, an office currently held by Dan Corpora. This may explain why Knisley, and not Corpora, presided over yesterday's proceedings. Qayyum also ran in the Democratic primary for Controller, and most recently, was one of four applicants for the job.
In his campaign for Controller, Qayyum claimed to have a law degree from the University of the Punjab. He presumably knows that witness intimidation is a crime. Assistant DA Danchak stated that an investigation into that matter is pending, but refused to be more specific.
According to Sultana's Facebook page, her husband was recently hospitalized for a "moderate heart attack."
Sultana sat quietly throughout the proceeding, only speaking when asked if she understand that she was giving up her right to force the Commonwealth to establish a prima facie case against her. She was flanked at the defense table by two attorneys. Ettore "Ed" Angelo, a highly respected criminal defense lawyer from Bucks County, told the court and Donchak that Attorney Elliott Love is assisting him.
Ettore told the court that if Sultana was a private citizen, this matter would attract no attention. But because she's a public figure, this case has been "blasted all over the media."
I've certainly done my part.
Ettore indicated he would be seeking accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD), a special program for first offenders in which charges are dismissed after a successful period of probation. This is within the discretion of the District Attorney. It is precisely what happens for most first offense simple assaults.
Danchak made clear that District Attorney Terry Houck would have to approve the application.
For his part, Ettore asked that bail conditions be relaxed so that the Defendant's family can return to their home. He said they are currently squeezed into a small apartment, and that the victim could live in the basement with no contact from Sultana.
Judge Knisley declined to relax bail conditions, stating she needed to hear from Pretrial Services.
She had a different attitude when Danchak asked for a "no contact" condition because "the Commonwealth is concerned about public or victim safety." She granted Danchak's request to add a "no contact" provision to bail conditions.
Judge Knisley scheduled formal arraignment for December 21, at 1:30 pm. That is when a Defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea. Attorney Angelo said he expected to have Sultana in the ARD program before then.
In addition to the criminal case, a Protection from Abuse Act (PFA) hearing is scheduled over Sultana's behavior on Wednesday at 1:30 pm. An emergency order was entered on August 18.
In the PFA proceeding, the victim described Sultana's behavior on July 31, which led to her arrest: "My mom had gotten very physical. She had slapped, punched me in my face and stomach multiple times. And continuously head butt me. It resulted in my face being injured and my face was bleeding. Also kept pulling my hair and dragging me around."
The victim also describes prior incidents: "Threw dishes and sharp objects at me which resulted in my foot opening up. A sharp glass had been strewn inside my foot. I had been taken to the hospital and had to get stitches on my foot. Other incidents included punching my lip (it was bleeding nonstop) hitting me with random objects in bruised back and arm. She also threatened my many times with knives and has told me she is going to kill me one day.
"She has threatened me with knives. She has told me she is going to kill me in my sleep."
Easton Police Officer Kade McNally filed the criminal charges against Sultana.
If the genders were reversed, we'd be screaming for crucifixion. This should be a big deal.
ReplyDeleteIf these threats are even remotely true-threatening her own son with death while asleep, imagine what she might do to the Mayor in a dispute?
ReplyDeleteOk Sal
DeleteIf true this woman is a real nut job!! She should be ordered to get mental health treatment before she kills her kid or worse, it sounds like she is a sociopath.
ReplyDeleteThis $hit can’t be real. If Sultana had whooped his a$$ real good when he was young, he wouldn’t have done this to his mother/family.
ReplyDeleteThis woman is completely unhinged! She is a danger to her children and the community. And her husband, instead of protecting the children he try’s to intimidate them. B O. Any update on the other unstable Eastonian, Mr Wheeler
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the response will be by the public or her fellow elected officials to get her to resign. From what I gather, she leans feminist so that will get her some protection from the same crowd who would waste no time demanding others (like, say, if this situation were a male accused of doing the exact same things to his wife/GF) to step aside.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anything remotely polite or printable to say about this so-called mother.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that when I first read the original article BOH posted, I felt sorry for the family going through this publicly. And I believed that O'Hare was exploiting the situation. After reading today's article, my apologies to Bernie.
ReplyDeleteWow! Just Wow!
As part of her probation, I hope that she's mandated to attend Forensic Violence Intervention Treatment.
Also, after reading the allegations in the PFA, I'd think twice about granting Sultana ARD. She is perpetually violent, which transcends the parameters of the current simple assault charges .The fact that she hasn't been charged before is baffling. Whenever a person goes to the hospital for stitches, the medical staff are trained to ask for and assess whether the injuries resulted from domestic violence. She should have been charged with Aggravated Assault at that time.
Then, the fact that the victim reports that Sultana regularly threatens to kill him...wow, just wow. This woman needs intervention stat.
If the allegations of past physical assault are true, this perp does not seem like a good candidate for ARD. Needs some heavy-duty intervention. But compared to the violence reported on nightly newscasts, she probably will be running a campaign for some future office. People keep wondering when we will have visitors from other galaxies. Hah, they have been here already and decided we are all too bat shit crazy to continue contacts.
ReplyDelete" Any update on the other unstable Eastonian, Mr Wheeler"
ReplyDeleteI thought his preliminary was same day but screwed up. His preliminary was scheduled for 8/23. I see nothing online to tell me what happened.
No way she should get ARD. This doesn’t seem like a 1 time lapse. This is an ongoing issue
ReplyDeleteThis is crazy. Can she be removed from office for this?
ReplyDeleteWhat a disgrace. How can someone do this to their kid. Child abuse— regardless of age— is WRONG. She must resign.
ReplyDeleteThe “victim” has gone too far to prove his allegation that it f** so hard to believe what he said.
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldn't a 20 year old will move out if afraid of being killed by his mother?
ReplyDeleteAgreed hes a grown man if he didn't want mommy kicking his ass he should move!
DeleteDumbass
ReplyDeleteThat matter will be reviewed as part of her application. I know of very few mothers who do not get intensely angry at their children at times, and usually for good reason. She may have been a victim of abuse herself. History usually repeats itself.
I am more concerned by the attempts to silence her son through the husband. That is an assault on our system of justice. He may escape being charged, but he himself should be aware that his conduct is indefensible. This is not the way to help the situation.
Unfortunately, we all make mistakes as parents. There are things I am sure my parents would say they regret. I know there are things I regret as a parent. On top of that, she comes from a culture in which domestic abuse is rampant. I am sure she could be helped by counseling. I think it's very unfortunate that her other children are crammed into a small apartment.
NorCo's seal has two words - justice ... and mercy. I think both objectives can be accomplished here.
Any assertion that Northampton County promotes either Justice or Mercy is a bad joke. Other counties mock the lawlessness of Norco and with good cause.
DeleteBernie I totally agree with you regarding her husband, I think this shows how dangerous or intimidating she is that her husband is also afraid of her ralth that he tried to intimidate his own son
DeleteWell, That’s ironic. A 20-year-old adult is roaming around in a single-family house Like a king while Nadeem is suffering a heart attack, Taiba’s mother who lives in the same household is battling breast cancer, and 5 other children under 18 are living in a small apartment?
ReplyDelete"This is crazy. Can she be removed from office for this?"
ReplyDeleteNo. Regardless what a Home Rule Charter might say, it is trumped by the state constitution and state law. The only way any elected official can be removed from office is via impeachment and conviction in the state legislature, or conviction of an "infamous" crime. Simple assault is not an "infamous" crime.
"Well, That’s ironic. A 20-year-old adult is roaming around in a single-family house Like a king while Nadeem is suffering a heart attack, Taiba’s mother who lives in the same household is battling breast cancer, and 5 other children under 18 are living in a small apartment?"
ReplyDeleteI believe that situation has to change for the sake of Sultana's other children. I am sure it will change. But Sultana and her husband have pretty much put a damper on things when the husband tried to dissuade the son from testifying. I am sure complaints about his conduct are what led to his "moderate heart attack." Witness intimidation is a crime.
Is he a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania?
DeleteBernie if that kid can accuse his biological mother of a serious allegation what can't he do to his stepfather? The boy is biting the hand that feeds him. Believe me, he will learn the hard way.
DeleteARD? I was under the impression it was used for first time “Non” violent offenders ?
ReplyDeleteChild abuse, under any state, federal, or local law, should be reason enough ,when reviewing a person’s qualifications as mentally fit, to question and impeach for ANY position dealing with public contact.
9:25, I assume you refer to Elliott Love. A person by that name is licensed to practice.
ReplyDeleteI meant her husband? I thought he was a lawyer.
DeleteShe should resign and then be banished to the second worst city in PA that begins with "E": Erie.
ReplyDelete"I meant her husband? I thought he was a lawyer." - Her husband claims a law degree from University of the Punjab and has stated he practiced law there. He has no license to practice in Pa.
ReplyDelete"ARD? I was under the impression it was used for first time “Non” violent offenders ?
ReplyDeleteChild abuse, under any state, federal, or local law, should be reason enough ,when reviewing a person’s qualifications as mentally fit, to question and impeach for ANY position dealing with public contact."
Your impression is incorrect. ARD is available and routine for simple assault. The DA has discretion to make this decision. I agree with your comment concerning child abuse, but the victim here is a 20 yo adult male.
Cultural assimilation takes time. US laws and customs do not come naturally to some. It's a shame when the legal system is called in to accomplish said assimilation.
ReplyDeleteSounds like she is quite the crazy. If she is having that big a problem with her adult child I believe she could have legally evicted him with about 2 weeks notice. Violence is never the answer unless in self defense.
ReplyDeleteThe victim has a son? Either I am really confused or you need a proofreader?
ReplyDeleteThis is a very sad story. Hoping to see the DA require anger management and family counseling for Sultana prior to approving a grant for the ARD program. Rehabilitation and family unification should be the focus of these domestic situations.
ReplyDeleteWitness intimidation on the other hand is never ok and should be investigated. I hope this family can come together to make the needed changes to move forward in a healthier direction.
Has anyone heard what the child might have down that Sultana thinks he needs this type of discipline?
ReplyDelete@Phil Rizziti @ 4:34: This wasn't "discipline". This is ongoing assault. But yeah, blame the victim for Sultana's disgusting behavior.
Delete4:43- Sultana "thinks" this type of "Discipline" is appropriate, and apparently, so do you. Let me guess, Conservative, Republican MAGA, Bible Thumper...Spare the rod, Spoil the Child?
DeleteI was raised in a Catholic, conservative family. Never once did my parents used corporal punishment. In fact, I was taught that the phrase I mentioned above did not mean that a parent beat his (or her) child with a rod, so not to spoil. Instead, the Sheppard who used his staff (rod) to guide his wayward sheep back into the corral. The Sheppard did not beat his sheep until the sheep got his a** back in the pen.
There is most likely ingrained cultural beliefs and expectations going on here regarding her behavior. This is not an excuse, but a possible explanation. Hopefully, she'll get education and treatment and this serves as a wake up call for her...and her husband.
I offer this family hope, help and healing.
She needs more than ARD she needs some sort of Mental counselling, and her husband too should be considered for something for trying to intimidate their son and not stopping her or at least backing the son. ARD doesn't work for someone who is habitual at what has been explained. She should also be expelled as city council and not be allowed to serve now or in the future. If the roles were reversed it wouldn't have the same outcome possibly Jail time.
ReplyDeleteMayor Panto and city council cannot touch Sultana because of the David Hopkins arrest. Hopkins should have been fired but city officials swept it under the rug because Hopkins is a Panto cronie. If council tries anything then Sultana will claim that she has brown skin and Hopkins has white skin and that is why he kept his job and not her.
ReplyDeleteShe was elected. What do you expect the mayor to do?
DeleteAnd the voters thought she was better then Sandy Volcano
Delete"Mayor Panto and city council cannot touch Sultana because of the David Hopkins arrest.
ReplyDeleteThey cannot touch her, but it has nothing to do with Hopkins. As an appointed official, Easton has the authority to remove Hopkins. But Sultana is elected. Despite what the Home Rule Charter may say, she can only be removed by the state legislature ore conviction of an infamous crime. Those are usuaLLY felonies. It is highly unlikely that a mere arrest for simple assaults would lead to removal by the state legislature.
"Any assertion that Northampton County promotes either Justice or Mercy is a bad joke. Other counties mock the lawlessness of Norco and with good cause."
ReplyDeleteThat's false. It reads very much like someone who is dissatisfied with his or her outcome, based on his or her irrational beliefs.
She needs to be locked up in a nut ward!
ReplyDeleteBiden is a Crook !
ReplyDeleteTrue!
DeleteThere is a rumor that this young man’s girlfriend, who ran away from her parent's NY house and currently residing at Sultana’s home with her son, is playing a role in destroying this family. Bad energy can ruin anything or anyone.
ReplyDelete10:03, Let's assume your rumor, which you spew anonymously, is correct. That is no justification for multiple assaults. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 6:43 AM and Anonymous 8:17 AM - Do not put words onto what I wrote. Reading comprehension skills are not prevalent in today's society? Maybe that's why everyone is commenting here? If you can understand Sultana's behavior and thinking, then maybe she can be helped. But that wouldn't fit anyone's narrative. Your responses only compound the problems.
ReplyDelete8:17, You are a great Catholic. Can't even spell Shepherd. What's Christ to you? You offer it hope? How? False prophet!
ReplyDeleteMatthew Sheppard, that's who.
Delete587 A.2d 371
ReplyDeleteThe above is a cite to a Commw Ct opinion providing that even conviction of an infamous crime does not result in automatic removal. The court is required to make removal a part of the sentence. I do not know whether this case is the current law.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that this lady is tired of her adult sons attitude because she has higher standards. The son is causing problems in the household. He is a slacker ,doesn’t have a real job and I’d hanging out in house. Well put me on the jury. I say she’s after him because he failed to keep up to setting of standards. They are Muslim. They are a bit different than us Christians. That what I think.
ReplyDeleteThen throw his ass out of the house don’t woop his ass and head butt him
DeleteHi Mr. Cochran, what you write may be true, but you reap what you sow. In this case, parents focused on their political ambitions were not focused on raising their children. The situation is unfortunate, but it could have been prevented with less attention on careers and more attention on family.
ReplyDeleteI love all the people most likely Taiba herself blaming the victim. You don’t like his GF, he was smoking weed, he’s lazy, whatever you people say. The answer was headbut him, threaten to stab him in his sleep etc??????? She is nuts and needs mental help. And the witness intimidator, was clearly ordered by Sultana to go after the son, it was clear during the most recent election, he does what he’s told to do
ReplyDeleteOut of over 50 comments, you chose to focus on his gf. Sounds like you ARE the girlfriend.
Delete1. These are the allegations. They are not guilty or convicted. I can pass by you and call the cop on you saying you sexually hareassed me and you will be charged.
2. If you are this dumbass dude’s gf, You should be ashamed of yourself for breaking this beautiful family for your gain.
Beautiful family!!!!!! You’re crazy what mother does this to their child and threatens to kill them in their sleep. This lady is totally off her rocker,
DeleteEttore told the court that if Sultana was a private citizen, this matter would attract no attention. But because she's a public figure, this case has been "blasted all over the media."
ReplyDeleteThank you for blasting!
She got the attention she wanted
DeleteSorry out of town attorney; you're not going to hear back from the ARD program before December 2023. Fat chance. Maybe in February or March of 2024.
ReplyDeleteOut of town attorney? I remember when NorCo was very welcoming to lawyers from other counties. I think that kind of comment is disgraceful. Moreover, Att'y Angelo has practiced quite a bit in this county and is quite familiar with how things work. You, on the other hand, are an anonymous coward.
ReplyDeleteDeranged, mad woman. Seek help.
ReplyDelete