Pittsburg, PA

Dozens of criminal cases dropped over crimes and misconduct by East Contra Costa cops, DA says

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2022

Dozens of criminal cases dropped over crimes and misconduct by East Contra Costa cops, DA says

MARTINEZ — As the continuing federal and state prison investigation Pittsburg and Antioch law enforcement officials continues, Contra Costa prosecutors have dropped dozens of prison instances after figuring out the officers behind them can now not be trusted.

In a press release to this newspaper, Chief Assistant District Lawyer Simon O’Connell mentioned an ongoing evaluate discovered that “roughly 40” prison instances have been “compromised to the purpose they can’t be salvaged” on account of crimes and misconduct by officers who performed key roles within the investigation.

“At this cut-off date, because of the nature of the prison wrongdoing and misconduct of the concerned officers, roughly 40 instances have been compromised to the purpose they can’t be salvaged and have subsequently been dismissed,” O’Connell mentioned. “The cooperation of the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments has assisted significantly on this advanced endeavor.”

O’Connell mentioned the workplace “stays steadfast in preserving as many instances as potential.”

The DA’s workplace has refused to reveal which instances have been dropped, citing the continuing investigation.

Final March, the FBI and the DA confirmed there’s a joint investigation into unspecified crimes involving officers from Pittsburg and Antioch. Legislation enforcement sources, talking on situation of anonymity, have informed this newspaper the probe entails a number of officers and features a evaluate of use-of-force incidents, in addition to some form of involvement with cocaine and steroids.

The DA’s workplace has solely confirmed the investigation considerations a variety of offenses together with “crimes of ethical turpitude,” a authorized time period that refers to crimes involving, deceit or conduct that may “shock the conscience.” Notably, drug use alone shouldn’t be thought of against the law of ethical turpitude.

The evaluate entails figuring out officers suspected of prison conduct, carving them out of a case, and figuring out if sufficient proof stays for the costs to face. As an illustration, a case the place an impugned officer was the only real witness most likely wouldn’t proceed.

Moreover, the DA’s workplace has recognized about 40 different instances the place an officer beneath prison investigation was concerned, however not sufficient to swamp the prosecution. In these instances, they’ve made required disclosures to protection attorneys, O’Connell mentioned.

The authorized customary for such choices, sarcastically stems from an Appellate Courtroom case primarily based in Contra Costa, involving ex-Harmony Ofc. Matthew Switzer, who was convicted of stealing prescribed drugs from aged victims whereas on-duty. In that case, appeals court docket justices affirmed an auto theft conviction stemming from Switzer’s arrest, ruling that his testimony wouldn’t have materially modified the case. However they lambasted the prosecutor for failing to name Switzer throughout trial, writing it “smacks of gamesmanship” and that protection attorneys ought to have been concerned of Switzer’s case.

The DA’s evaluate is operating parallel to an analogous course of in federal court docket, the place no less than a dozen prosecutions have been halted or reversed, generally after the defendant already pleaded responsible or was sentenced. 5 of these instances concerned felony gun possession fees of people that have been arrested by Antioch police, a couple of by the identical officer, court docket data present.

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Pittsburg, PA

Technology developed in Pittsburgh could be game-changing in fighting wildfires

Published

8 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

A technology developed in the Pittsburgh area could be the next big thing when it comes to fighting wildfires.

A former deputy chief in Greensburg has had an interest in firefighting foam since he wrote his term paper on it when he was 17 years old.

Larry Sukay recently returned to the firehall where he grew up: Fire Station #1. He was there the day it opened and spent 15 years with the department.

It was during that time that he learned about the foam technology developed in the late 50′s in Greensburg to put out coal mine fires. Sukay says it was integral in getting the historic La Rose Shop fire out in 1961.

He moved from the area in 1985 to California, a landscape increasing with wildfires. Sukay is now using his knowledge of firefighting foam to try to stop them.

“The technology that was developed here in Western Pennsylvania is going to address that global issue,” said Sukay.

Sukay has taken that foam “recipe” that was created in Greensburg and adapted it to make his own foam and own technology to drop it from a helicopter.

He says it can put down 8,000 feet of fire line in one pass, compared to 600 feet from a helicopter dropped with the same amount of liquid.

Sukay says foam attacks from 3 different angles: it eliminates oxygen, fuel, and heat.

“The technology we have is important, but an equally important part of our technology is we’re dropping an environmentally friendly, plant-based foam. Its safe for humans, animals, aquatic life, and its biodegradable,” Sukay also adds its free from PFAS.

Though Western Pennsylvania doesn’t have the wildfires that he does out west:

“There are sections here in town where the vegetation has grown up significantly around homes. You can have a major vegetation fire here even in Western Pennsylvania,” said Sukay.

The SKHI-EX system is still in the design and testing phase, but Sukay hopes to be able to launch it for fire departments to buy.

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Pittsburg, PA

Colts Send Message to Steelers’ T.J. Watt

Published

16 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Colts Send Message to Steelers’ T.J. Watt

The Indianapolis Colts know what they’re getting themselves into when they line up across from T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that his team has had to prepare effusively for Watt leading up to Sunday’s contest given his game-wrecking ability and motor.

“The guy is a phenomenal football player,” Steichen said. “He is always around the ball. He has a relentless motor. He plays 100 miles an hour on every snap. So, we’ve got to have a plan for him…”

On the year, Watt has recorded three sacks and eight total pressures while being chipped at the highest rate of any pass rusher in the league by a wide margin, according to Pro Football Focus.

Indianapolis’ offensive line is among the best in the league largely in part due to their tackle duo of Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith, who have been nails so far this season.

Watt and the rest of the Steelers’ defense represent a whole different challenge, however, and Indianapolis offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter acknowledged that fact this week.

“… In this league there are these just phenomenal players on some of these defenses, and T.J. Watt is certainly one of those,” Cooter said. “We’ve got to know where he’s going to line up and how he’s likely to align within their scheme – sort of what his role is likely to be defensively each play, and how we can go best attack the defense…”

The Colts’ game plan will likely center around neutralizing Watt, and for good reason. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and four-time First-team All-Pro can single-handedly stop an offense in its tracks, and he’s likely to attract even more attention then he initially would have now that Alex Highsmith will be out with a groin injury for Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson provided his own opinions on Watt’s prowess, mentioning that the team has plans in place that are aimed at keeping him out of the backfield.

“Man, I mean everybody knows he’s a potential Hall of Famer,” Richardson said. “He’s a great guy – high motor, a lot of effort. He’s pretty strong, physical. So, we definitely have a few things for him so he doesn’t get to the quarterback.”

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