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Thousands of Records Wiped Out, Indelible Damage Remains

Thousands of Records Wiped Out, Indelible Damage Remains - Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 11:30PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Thursday, Oct 29, 2009 @ 11:30pm EDT

HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY- A nine page order by the Pa. Supreme Court directs the records of thousands of juvenile cases heard by ex-judge Mark Ciavarella be erased from the system. The cases span from 2003 to May, 2008. The high court noted there was sufficient evidence to proceed, despite Ciavarella and fellow defendant ex-judge Michael Conahan had rescinded their guilty pleas two months ago. Both have since been charged in a broad 48-count federal indictment charging racketeering and extortion.

With his daughter's case no expunged, Jack Van Reeth is comforted with the work done by the Supreme Court. Jessica Van Reeth was jailed for a misdemeanor offense. She spent 90 days in a juvenile detention center. When she turned 18, she came public with her story: no attorney during a 90 second hearing and no warning that she had waived her right. Van Reeth's story triggered a tidal wave of similar reports by other juveniles. Jack Van Reeth says he's waited a long time for this day. "It's a wonderful day."

District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said her office will reserve the right to address "serious cases" still meandering through the system. She applauded the order and called it a step in the right direction. She also noted the Supreme Court squarely blamed Ciavarella and no one else. "We had a judge on the bench who was committing a crime, who was accepting money. No where in that courtroom did anyone know, have any inkling..." Musto Carroll said.
 


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