Schuylkill County court news

Sentenced

Clint Richard Parks, 43. of 231 Beechwood Road, New Ringgold, who entered a guilty plea last May 29 to several criminal charges, was sentenced by President Judge Willliam E. Baldwin.

Parks's counsel, Public Defender Christopher Hobbs, presented testimony of a psychiatrist who claimed Parks was mentally ill and needed treatment. Hobbs was seeking to have parks admitted to a mental institution, however, the Assistant District Attotrney Andrew J. Sereno put on the witness stand Cpl. Leo Luciani, state trooper, who told the court when he went with a warrant to Parks' home to search for stolen property Parks fired a shot at him while only 15 feet away. The trooper said his life was placed in danger. Luciani also testified he found hidden at a camp site about 300 rounds of ammunication.

The psychiatric report presented to court stated that Parks did not want to harm the police but wanted them to fire back at him to kill him. It was also noted that while in prison had attempted suicide.

Baldwin sentenced Parks on an aggravated assault charge to serve two to five years in a state correctional institute; on a charge a charge of recklessly endangering another person to serve an additional 12 months on probation when released from prison; and on a charge of resisting arrest was sentenced to serve six to 12 months but the sentence runs concurrent with the assault sentence. The court did declare he was mentally ill and is leaving it up to the state prison system to determine the treatment.

Revoke freedom

Brandon Leslie, 21, Tamaqua, had his parole revoked by Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin and his 170 days of street time were taken away. He was committed to the county prison to serve the balance of his sentence which maxes out March 22, 2010. Leslie pleaded guilty to charges of possession od a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, as charged by Patrolman Anthony Stanell, Tamaqua police, and was sentenced on May 22, 2008, to serve probation.

Bly Paul Salm, 28, of 42 McComb St., New Philadelphia, had his probation revoked by Judge Charles M. Miller and he was re-sentenced to serve the original sentence of 90 days to five years which was imposed on May 25, 2007. Miller ruled he may reapply for re-parole after he serves three months. He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.

Bad check case

Beveraly E. Socko, also known as Beverly Eileen Rosenberger, 30, of Coal Township, was sentenced by Judge John E. Domalakes on a charge of writing a bad check to serve 12 months on probation, pay $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account fund, a$50 monthly supervision fee and make restitution of $450 to the Community Bank, of Ashland.

Taken off program

Galen John Vandermeeer, 35, Pottsville, was removed from the Accelerated Rehabilative Disposition (ARD) probation program by Judge Miller for violating terms set by court. This is a probation program for first offenders to give them a chance to clear their name. He now faces trial and the record stands if convicted.

Vandermeer faces charges of DUI and possession of a controlled substance filed by Patrolman Richard J. Pugh, Pottsville police.