Pocono News Section

Dr. Stephen Scher Found Guilty of First Degree Murder

Dr. Stephen Scher Found Guilty of First Degree Murder - Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 11:00PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Thursday, Mar 13, 2008 @11:00pm EST
MONTROSE, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY - After an eight day trial that was heavy with emotion, the verdict in the Stephen Scher murder re-trial came in late Thursday afternoon. Guilty of murder in the first degree was the decision.

Scher is accused of killing his best friend Martin Dillon in 1976 at the Gunsmoke Hunting area in Silver Lake Township. Scher sat silently and bowed his head as the verdict was read. It didn't take long for emotions to be seen.

"I hope that he is now in jail and will remain there for the rest of his life and they will throw away the key this time," Joann Reimel said. Reimel is the sister of the victim.

"My brother has been done proud. He's been done proud and I pray this is the last time we have to go through this ordeal in my brother's name," Reimel said.

As Scher left the courthouse, he broke his silence for the first time, saying to cameras, "Obviously I'm disappointed."

After an eight day trial, friends of Marty Dillon say the jury got it right.

"It is the right verdict and I know it and I know it close and you always sat there all these years and wondered what was going to happen, especially for the family and whoever might be involved. It's over with and the system has worked again," Dillon's friend Kendall Strawn said.

Even Ann Vitale, Stephen Scher's ex-wife was happy with the verdict. Vitale testifed for the prosecution in the re-trial about being cheated on and emotionally abused.

"I was relieved. This isn't a celebration. This is all very sad," Vitale said.

As they left the Susquehanna County courthouse, jurors said the verdict was not a difficult one to reach.

"The evidence was clear. We had no problem as we began to discuss the case. It all just fell together closer and closer," jury foreman Norman Breese said.

For those involved, they hope this is the end of their pain and suffering.

"It's a beautiful feeling. Something I've never witnessed. It's over now and it's just a great thing," Strawn said.

Scher will be sentenced on Friday morning at 9:15 AM. He is expected to receive a sentence of life in prison.