Justice Ain't Blind, It's Cross-Eyed

On April 20, 2010, Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin:

• Sentenced Nancy J. Kane for a DUI. Kane, 41, has to serve 30 days to six months in prison under the terms of Baldwin's sentence, which the judge made effective at 9 a.m. April 25.He also sentenced her to pay costs, $800 in fines, a $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
  Kane pleaded guilty on Feb. 25 to DUI, driving an unregistered vehicle and improper turning movements, which Schuylkill Haven borough police had charged her with committing on April 4, 2009, in the borough.
• Another defendant, David A. Bevan, 50, of Auburn, will spend 48 hours to six months in prison, pay costs, a $750 fine, a $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and a $194.58 bench warrant fee under the terms of Baldwin's sentence, which the judge made effective at 6 p.m. today.
  Bevan pleaded guilty on Feb. 25 to DUI, which state police at Schuylkill Haven charged him with committing on Sept. 6, 2008.
• In another April 22 hearing, David C. Kemmerer, 47, of Barnesville, will spend 60 months in the intermediate punishment program, which combines supervision and treatment, under the terms of Baldwin's sentence.
  Kemmerer pleaded guilty on Feb. 25 to DUI, driving under suspension-DUI related, careless driving and seat belt violation, which state police at Frackville charged him with committing on March 5, 2009.
  Kemmerer also must pay costs, $3,535 in fines and a $300 SAEF payment and perform 40 hours community service under the terms of Baldwin's sentence.

It's probably a good thing a certain city fire captain was arrested in  the City of Champions rather than Barnesville.

For pleading guilty to two DUIs, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth Lazzara sentenced him to 
"a week on house arrest" as well as "serve nine months of probation, pay $1,500 in fines, attend safe driving classes and pay court costs."

In return for pleading guilty, prosecutors  dropped several other charges. With minimal effort, those additional charges can be found online. Interesting reading.

"You, sir, have a position as a role model in the community. Little kids look up to you," Lazzara said. "A guilty plea to two DUIs is certainly not living up to that."

Is it any surprise there seems to be a we're-teflon, can't-touch-this mentality within the ranks of the city payroll?

Oh yeah, obviously the captain is a safer drinker than he is a driver. Hope the classes help.

Check out the Pittsburgh Comet for a related story.