HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 4-P-93 - 3-16-1993 - PRISON BOARDMINUTE BO❑K
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
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Minute No. 4-P-93
March 16, 1993
Washington, Pennsylvania
The Washington County Prison Board met in executive session in the 7th
Floor Conference Room, Courthouse Square, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the
following members being present: Judge O'Dell Seneca; District Attorney
Pettit; Commissioner Petrosky; Controller Belcastro; and Sheriff Fazzoni.
Absent being: Commissioners Mascara and Ford. Also being present: Warden
Pelzer and Linda Hands, Clerk -Steno II.
Chairman Pettit called the executive session to order at approximately
10:55 a.m. for the purpose of discussing a critical matter concerning inmate
Robert Lewis.
Judge O'Dell Seneca explained to the Board that she received a note
from Warden Pelzer this morning that inmate Robert Lewis is currently in the
hospital with renal failure and the prognosis is for a life span of a few days.
The Warden has requested Judge O'Dell Seneca to grant the "Release on own
Recognizance" bond over the objection of the District Attorney. Judge O'Dell
Seneca noted that prior to receiving the Warden's request, inmate Lewis'
private counsel, Attorney Blackwell, presented a bond reduction request to her
this morning at Motions Court which she denied, but granted them a hearing
within the next couple of weeks. She contacted Washington Hospital and spoke
to inmate Lewis' nurse as his doctor was not readily available. He advised her
that Mr. Lewis is in renal failure and has additional liver problems and
thinks he is now getting pneumonia and there is a possibility of his death in
the next few days. Judge O'Dell Seneca noted that there is a bond reduction
hearing scheduled subsequent to the Central Magistrate's hearing which is on
Wednesday, March 24th, and some time later in the week she scheduled the bond
reduction hearing because District Attorney Pettit had previously submitted a
request to her that a guard be placed with inmate Lewis around the clock when
he is in the hospital which she granted and then District Attorney Pettit
indicated that he is objecting to a bond reduction at this time.
Chairman Pettit explained that inmate Lewis is an alleged drug dealer
and he was arrested along with 12 other individuals in the Canonsburg area
approximately two weeks ago. He went on to explain details of the search
warrant issued and the arrest of inmate Lewis.
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MINUTE BOOK
PRISON BOARD WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Chairman Pettit stated that his position is that Lewis is a very heavy
dealer and he knows that he doesn't have a long lifespan so he doesn't really
care too much for the value of life. Mr. Pettit thinks that once Lewis is out
on the street, he's going to go back to drug dealing; and, obviously, he will
have to be arrested again if that's what he does. Mr. Pettit's concern is that
he may take somebody's life; it could be a police officer's life, another drug
dealer or somebody looking to buy. Discussion followed concerning what the
consequences would be if this situation occurred. Mr. Pettit stated that he
feels if the Board members want to release him, then the Board should do it
collectively as he doesn't think it should be the District Attorney or the
Judge.
Chairman Pettit suggested options for the Board to consider which
included (1) getting inmate Lewis through a preliminary hearing as quickly as
possible and placing him as number one on the trial list and bringing him to
trial; (2) effectuating a plea bargain with Lewis' attorney; and (3) placing
Lewis on an "Own Recognizance" bond. Discussion followed.
Warden Pelzer reported that a liver specialist has been called in to
make his diagnosis and treatment of inmate Lewis. He stated that a
psychologist has also seen inmate Lewis who diagnosed him as having organic
brain syndrome whereby he is unable to make rational decisions from time to
time which is secondary to his alcohol and cocaine abuse.
Commissioner Petrosky suggested that this situation be monitored for
the next three days and that Warden Pelzer stay in close contact with inmate
Lewis' doctor to obtain periodic updates on his condition in the hospital, and
if there are no significant changes during that time, then the Board members
could conduct a conference call on Thursday, March 18th, at 1:45 p.m. to
further discuss the situation.
Meeting recessed.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
1993
ATTEST:
SECRETARY
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