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Wheeler returned to donation drive
after his arrest |
According to both
Lehigh Valley Live and
Lehigh Valley News. Lance Wheeler was arrested by Wilson Borough police on May 31 while conducting a donation drive for the Ferry Street fire victims. Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana was there, shot
a video of the actual arrest, and said she was outraged. For his part, Wheeler insisted on being cuffed and led away, even though he had previously been given several opportunities to surrender voluntarily. He wanted a show, and could be heard blaming both DA Terry Houck and Easton Mayor Sal Panto. According to the news accounts, the arrest stems from an incident last August, when Wheeler allegedly threatened three students while driving a Wilson Area School District van. What's happened since Wheeler's arrest? Nothing.
Preliminary hearings have been scheduled in this case for June 21, July 11, August 23, October 20 and November 30. They've all been continued. Wheeler's lawyer, Glennis Clark, also represented some of the Commonwealth witnesses who appeared before the Grand Jury. This raised the possibility of a conflict, and that question was booted to President Judge Craig Dally.
Is Wheeler stringing this case out, hoping for more favorable winds when Steve Baratta is sworn in as District Attorney? You won't see Lance's name on any campaign finance reports, but it's no secret that he was a big Baratta backer. He took Steve through Easton's west ward, introducing him to voters. He also introduced Baratta to one of the warring factions in the Sikh Temple dispute in Lower Nazareth Tp. Wheeler provided security there.
Wheeler told me believed his arrest was politically motivated because he supported Steve Baratta for DA, and is the person who encouraged the Sikhs in Lower Nazareth to reach out to him. He also blamed Easton Mayor Sal Panto, although I'm unsure how Panto can issue orders to Wilson Borough police.
At his most recent appearance, I'm told Wheeler shouted out to prosecutors and detectives that they'd be gone next month. Not long after that, one of the detectives and prosecutors involved received a letter from Baratta telling them to have their personal belongings out of the courthouse by January 2.
When I spoke to Baratta this week, he told me he knew nothing about the Wheeler case. I have no reason to doubt him or his personal integrity But Wheeler's alleged remarks, which I only learned about yesterday, combined with his active support for Baratta, raises a serious concern whether Baratta should handle the prosecution or have the state attorney general oversee the case.
"Caesar's wife must be above suspicion." The same is true of Baratta.
This should be and must be turned over to the Attorney General's Office for possible further prosecution. To have the case continued that many times as very suspicious. The political ties between Wheeler and the Courts is very close and they are all familiar with each other. They are more like family. Wheeler was a court officer. He is too close to Baratta and this case will be dismissed as a favor to Wheeler. What a shameful way for Baratta to start out. I voted for Baratta. Now I have second thoughts. Too late.
ReplyDeleteYou ought to be ashamed of yourself. You should get down on your knees and beg the good people of Northampton County for forgiveness. Repent, and stop making stupid voting decisions.
DeleteIf there’s a case, it can be moved to another county or the attorney general can hear this politically motivated case. Why wasn’t wheeler immediately charged? Authorities waited over 1 year to charge him.Baratta won’t be able to prosecute this one, conflict of interest. I’m sure some teachers or even school bus drivers can attest to how well mannered school children are today. `
ReplyDeleteLance wheeler doesn't talk to racists like you
ReplyDeleteWhat makes him racist? You can’t make those types of venomous accusations without facts to back it up!
DeleteC'mon Bernie, this is Northampton County! THE most corrupt county in the State! I can confirm Two county Dicks got their walking letter. Baratta Doesn't have the balls to tell them in person. The ONLY reason is because of this Wheeler debacle. There will be a grievance on his desk when he walks in Jan 2. He doesnt realize that they're unionized
ReplyDeleteLance wheeler and his son are part of the protected homey class. That is who elected baratta and that's what barrata is told to do . He's very obedient and will do it well
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted. Lord knows the newspapers won't. I hope you have a successor lined up for when you can no longer blog.
ReplyDelete". Why wasn’t wheeler immediately charged? Authorities waited over 1 year to charge him.Baratta won’t be able to prosecute this one, conflict of interest. I’m sure some teachers or even school bus drivers can attest to how well mannered school children are today.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to find out why it took so long to file charges at the preliminary hearing. I have since learned that this case has to go to the grand jury, that some of the witnesses had to be subpoenaed and video had to be obtained. It doesn't matter whether the victims are or are not well behaved. The argument you are making is very much like the arguments racists liked to make about black victims.
Wheeler is the worst of the worst! Majority of Easton residents know this and so does the courts.
ReplyDelete11:50, It is the commenter's own remarks that made me say he is making the same argument about these victims that racists used to make about black victims. I did not say he was a racist.
ReplyDelete"Lance wheeler doesn't talk to racists like you"
ReplyDeleteLance and I have known each other for many years. We have spoken often. I know the bad and good about him, and he knows the bad and good about me. I consider him a friend going through some rough times and worry about him. But I'm going to be honest about his situation, and the problem he has created for the incoming DA by making those remarks to prosecutors.
Houck came into office and immediately fumbled the SBRPD case, by flinching on a cop prosecution. If Baratta fails to hand off Wheeler's case to the AG, he's committed a far more egregious mistake. Everything about Baratta's career indicates he'll do the wrong thing. This is what we elected.
ReplyDeleteI accidentally deleted a comment asking if Baratta can investigate a complaint against a former DA or ADA. Unless there is a conflict, Yes. Since they were in a nasty race, my guess is that any complaint would be referred to the AG.
ReplyDeleteLet's see......Wheeler and Baratta spend days on end walking the East side of Easton Soliciting votes for Baratta. Then they go to Lower Nazareth Township to a Temple and Wheeler again promotes Baratta to get him votes and provides security for Baratta. They never talk about Wheeler's case. If you believe that, I have a 500 acre cattle ranch in Freemansburg I would like to sell you.
ReplyDeleteTerry sucks
ReplyDeleteThat may be, 8:53 pm, but at least he isn’t Baratta.
ReplyDeleteExpanding on 847 PM's comment, Lance is Baratta's Hunter B.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Mazz.
Barratta should clean the house. Houck and his leftovers are racist.
ReplyDeleteWondering if these were white kids,would wheeler had waited to long. Hmm do your homework.
ReplyDelete