Schuylkill County Court news

Duty to protect

Prison officials have the duty to protect inmates whose lives have been threatened by other inmates was the ruling made by Judge John E. Domalakes. An inmate at the state correctional institution near Frackville in Ryan Township, filed a hand written petition to the court asking the court to direct the prison personal to provide him with protection. In his petition the inmate, Clark A. Weber, claimed another inmate serving a life sentence for murder had made threats to kill him. In his ruling Judge Domalakes wrote, "This is the lawful duty of the supervisor and prison personal to take all appropriate precautions to assure inmate safety compatable with the orderly operation of the institution and the policies of the Pennsylvania Department of Correction.

Divorces granted

Michael Bernotas, Ringtown, was granted a divorce from Katherine Bernotas, Bloomsburg. They were married December 29, 1995.

Maria T. Grutza was granted a divorce from Ryan T. Grutza, both of Mahanoy City. They were married June 2, 2002.

Eileen F. Wetzel was granted a divorce from Bruce N. Wetzel, both of Pitman Village, Eldred Township. They were married April 13, 1974.

Long house arrest

Alberto Gonzalez, Jr., 28, Pottsville. who pleaded guilty last May 23 to a charge of defiant trespass on property of the Pottsville Housing Authority, was sentenced by Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin to serve three months on house arrest with electronic surveillance and pay the required fee of $12 per day followed by nine months on probation and attend Anger Management Classes. On a second charge of possession of an offensive weapon he must serve an additional 12 months probation and pay a $50 monthly fee for each month he is on probation. He also must pay $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account fund and court costs. Gonzalez was cited Pottsville police.