HOLLIDAYSBURG —
A man serving a 31- to 82-year prison term must be must be resentenced because his verdict slip wrongly said he had supplied cocaine, not heroin, to a convicted central Pennsylvania drug dealer.
The Altoona Mirror reports Thursday that 36-year-old Michael Serrano, of Philadelphia, must be resentenced within 90 days because of the Superior Court ruling that vacated the sentence imposed by a Blair County judge last year.
County prosecutors argued the verdict slip error was nothing more than a harmless typographical error, and that the charge on the verdict slip should have reflected that Serrano was accused – and then convicted – of supplying heroin.
But the Superior Court found the mistake resulted in Serrano’s conviction for a crime he didn’t commit, namely, supplying cocaine.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
Local News
What's in a name? Wrong word on verdict voids prison sentence
- Local News
-
-
Independents, minor-party members locked out of primary election
More than 1 million registered voters in Pennsylvania will be barred from casting a ballot today because the state only allows registered Democrats and Republicans to participate in the primary election.
-
Permit path cleared: Construction soon on Rt. 219 project
The final permit is on the way for a Somerset-to-Meyersdale Route 219 improvement project to begin.
It’s a years-in-the-making step that will allow the estimated $300 million plan to be advertised for bids in the coming weeks – and if all goes well, move it to construction this fall, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster said Monday. -
Emergency response team hones skills at training camp
Almost certainly, no Cambria County Special Emergency Response Team members will ever be called upon to create a small bridge out of two pieces of wood and rope, use the newfangled walkway to get a group of individuals from one point to another, pick up an object at the end of the course and then figure out a way back to the starting point.
But the skills SERT officers gain by participating in drills like those – leadership, teamwork, trust and creativity – can be invaluable when they are serving and protecting the community. -
Fun Day event to spotlight YMCA expansion
The Y logo may be seen from the sky June 15 when Greater Johnstown YMCA community members get together to form a logo comprised of people at a Community Fun Day.
-
Agency will provide produce vouchers to eligible seniors
Income-eligible residents ages 60 and older will have a chance to stock up a bit on locally grown produce through a voucher program offered in Cambria and Somerset counties this year.
-
Poverty simulation slated for today
Annamarie Pihs experienced firsthand the kind of harsh economic times she will be helping educate Johnstown community leaders about during today’s Walk a Day in My Shoes: Understanding Poverty event at Greater Johnstown High School.
-
In Brief | 27 students escape injury in bus crash
State police in Ebensburg are investigating a school bus crash that happened Monday on Route 36 in Clearfield Township.
-
State police investigating school bus crash
State police in Ebensburg are investigating a school bus crash that happened Monday on Route 36 in Clearfield Township. The Cambria Heights school bus was carrying 27 students when the driver apparently blacked out and sheared off a pine tree between the Chest Spring and Patton areas, schools superintendent Michael Strasser said. None of the high school or elementary students was hurt, he said. The students were triaged at the scene and released to their parents, Strasser said.
The driver was taken to Altoona Regional Hospital, he said. -
Study: Hospitals’ finances are healthy
Hospitals across the region maintained financial health last year, a new state report shows.
But leaders say the continued strength required constant scrutiny and creative programming to identify new opportunities in a dynamic industry. -
Local politicians will feel impact of redistricting
This time next year, as primary election day draws near, two close friends and colleagues likely will find themselves in a face-off, each in the hopes of holding his job in the state House.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
