The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Homepage

February 21, 2013

What's in a name? Wrong word on verdict voids prison sentence

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.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Tribune-Democrat News Slideshow
Latest News
  • 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.

    May 20, 2013

  • 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.

    May 20, 2013

  • Mayor’s race pits friends

    A two-way race for the borough mayor seat will likely be settled Tuesday.
    That’s because two Democrats – incumbent Simon “Red” Ohler and Councilwoman Sonya Pekala – are the only candidates on the spring ballot, with no Republican opposition.

    May 20, 2013

  • Windber men vying for post

    Two Windber men want to fill the seat being vacated in December by a longtime local district judge.
    With now-Senior District Judge Joseph Cannoni’s term expiring at year’s end, attorney William E. Seger, 52, and William Telek, 56, a senior construction inspector for the turnpike, will face off in a May primary race that could repeat itself again this fall.

    May 20, 2013

  • memorial_day.JPG Observances slated for Memorial Day

    The men and women who have kept this nation free will be honored during Memorial Day ceremonies in the area.
    Inside are Memorial Day observances are scheduled for May 27.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

Local News
  • 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.

    May 20, 2013

  • 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.

    May 20, 2013

  • Mayor’s race pits friends

    A two-way race for the borough mayor seat will likely be settled Tuesday.
    That’s because two Democrats – incumbent Simon “Red” Ohler and Councilwoman Sonya Pekala – are the only candidates on the spring ballot, with no Republican opposition.

    May 20, 2013

  • Windber men vying for post

    Two Windber men want to fill the seat being vacated in December by a longtime local district judge.
    With now-Senior District Judge Joseph Cannoni’s term expiring at year’s end, attorney William E. Seger, 52, and William Telek, 56, a senior construction inspector for the turnpike, will face off in a May primary race that could repeat itself again this fall.

    May 20, 2013

  • memorial_day.JPG Observances slated for Memorial Day

    The men and women who have kept this nation free will be honored during Memorial Day ceremonies in the area.
    Inside are Memorial Day observances are scheduled for May 27.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

Sports
Penguins Vokoun.JPG

Ottawa Senators Kyle Turris, left, tries to score on Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tomas Vokoun while Penguins Evgeni Malkin reaches for the puck during the second period of game four of their Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semi-final NHL hockey game at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/ The Canadian Press, Patrick Doyle)

  • Ottawa rallies to top Pittsburgh

    Colin Greening scored 7:39 into double overtime, and the Ottawa Senators rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins that cut their series deficit to 2-1 on Sunday night.
    Daniel Alfredsson got Ottawa even 1-1 by scoring a short-handed goal with 29 seconds left in regulation just after the Senators pulled goalie Craig Anderson for an extra skater.

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

  • Pirates Alvarez .JPG Locke grinds through as Pirates blank Astros

    Jeff Locke didn’t have his best stuff Sunday. He didn’t need it to shut down the majors’ worst team.
    Locke allowed three hits over seven innings, Pedro Alvarez homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates won for the eighth time in 10 games, 1-0 over the Houston.
    Locke (4-1) won his fourth straight decision and gave up one run or fewer for the fifth time in his past eight outings. He struck out four and walked three.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • CORY ISENBERG| District playoffs command spotlight

    District 5 gets set to jump into the baseball and softball playoffs this week.
    Class A softball opens with four games on Wednesday, all set for 4:30 p.m.

    May 20, 2013

  • Hawkins B1.JPG Bengals’ Hawkins visits Windber for charity tourney

    Andrew Hawkins never forgets his roots.

    May 19, 2013 2 Photos

  • mastovich, mike MIKE MASTOVICH | Roberts, Kent State up to old tricks

    George Roberts and his Kent State University teammates reached a familiar destination on Saturday afternoon, but took a somewhat different route in winning their third consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season title.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

Features
Lifestyles
Multimedia
Featured Ads
Facebook
Fuel Finder
Tribune-Democrat News Videos
Front page
Front page
Poll

Do we have too many economic development agencies in our area?

Yes, they end up fighting over the same money
No, our region needs all of the help it can get
I'm not sure
     View Results
Follow us on Twitter
AP Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
House Ads
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Order Photos


Photo Slideshow

Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide