Schuylkill court news
Divorces Granted
Kim Novak Simmonds, 207 Market St., Tamaqua, was granted a divorce from William S. Simmonds, 106 Market St., Tamaqua. They were married Dec. 9, 2008.
Brian Vick was granted a divorce from Jennifer Vick, both of Mahanoy City. They were married May 2, 1998.
Justine Keefer was granted a divorce from Barry J. Keefer II, both of Spring Glen Village, Hubley Township. They were married Aug. 17, 1996.
Sharon Ann Wilson was granted a divorce from Joshua Wilson, both of Auburn. They were married June 30, 1989.
Natasha M. Knorr, Orwigsburg, was granted a divorce from Jason R. Knorr, Schuylkill Haven., They wer married Oct. 16, 2004.
Jury trial
Mark Anthony Tutko, 55, of Shenandoah, was found guilty by a jury of charges of crimnal trespass on property of William and Mary Ellen Krasinsky, 311 Washington St., Shenandoah.
Judge James P. Goodman deferred sentencing to March 23 and ordered a pre-sentence investigative report prepared by the adult probation department.
Tutko was also found guilty of the charge of loitering and prowling at night and Goodman found him guilty of criminal mischief to property.
The testimony was Tutko attempted to break into the home around 4 a.m. last March 8 by using a saw to split a side door in half. He did not take the witness stand to defend himself.
Dismiss charges
David Brian Kennedy, of 121 S. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, had criminal charges filed against him dismissed by President Judge William E. Baldwin after District Attorney Karen Byrne Noon informed him she could not prosecute because the victim, Judith Kondash, of Hazleton, requested the charges be dropped.
Kennedy was cited by McAdoo police with theft of $300 from the victim's purse and unauthorized use of her vehicle when she visited his apartment last Jan. 7. Judge placed the costs of prosecution on Kennedy.
Modify bail
Timothy Michael Reed, 36, Macungie, formerly of Pottsville, had his bail fixed by Senior Judge D. Michael Stine at $30,000 percentage cash in the aggregate on three criminal cases which charge him with burglary, theft, criminal conspiracy, and criminal mischief to properties in Pottsville. He is also subject to special bail conditions fixed by the court.
He shall reside at 2823 Sequoia Drive, Macungie, and shall not relocate without prior court approval, shall not possess, consume or transport any alcohol or controlled substance, shall be subject to random drug tests, shall seek gainful employment and not travel outside the state without court approval.
Testimony at the bail hearing revealed Reed had few assets, a poor work history, few contacts with this jurisdiction and has an extensive criminal record.
Sent to prison
Bruce James Layton, 22, Shenandoah, brought to court on a bench warrant and after receiving a hearing Judge James P. Goodman dissolved the bench warrant and remanded Layton to prison to serve a three to six months sentence imposed last Jan. 18 when he pleaded guilty to selling cocaine in the Shenandoah. A date was set for him to report to the county prison to begin his sentence but he failed to appear and a bench warrant was issued. Goodman noted the sentencing judge should be made aware that he was an absconder from justice when he applies for parole.
