Case stalled against man accused in South Scranton shooting
Published: July 4, 2009
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
e-mail this
share this
Joesph Olecki (File photo)
Related stories
The case against an Altoona man accused of shooting a South Scranton couple March 15 has stalled while officials in two counties decide who will try him first.
Joseph Olecki, 34, is facing two counts of attempted murder and related counts for allegedly shooting Lindsay and Michael Ross on March 15 while the couple and their two young sons were standing on the deck of their home at 528 Beech St.
He also is facing an attempted murder charge in Blair County for allegedly firing 21 rounds from an assault rifle into his ex-girlfriend's home in Logan Twp. the day before the South Scranton shooting.
For defendants facing charges in multiple counties, the rule of thumb is that the county that makes the arrest prosecutes first, said Lackawanna County First Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico. Mr. Olecki was arrested near Altoona one day after the Scranton shootings. But a court date has not been set in either jurisdiction.
Even so, Mr. Talerico said he hopes it will not be too long before Mr. Olecki's charges in Lackawanna County are taken to trial.
"People were hurt here," Mr. Talerico said. "I want him back quickly."
Officials at the Blair County district attorney's office declined to comment on their case against Mr. Olecki.
Further complicating matters is that Mr. Olecki does not have an attorney for the Lackawanna County charges. Attorney Thomas Dickey represents him in the Blair County case and was Mr. Olecki's defense attorney for the Lackawanna County preliminary hearing in May. Mr. Dickey no longer represents Mr. Olecki on the Lackawanna County charges, Mr. Talerico said. Mr. Dickey did not return calls seeking comment Thursday.
Mr. Talerico said he hopes Mr. Olecki will be brought before Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse in the next few weeks to get a court-appointed attorney to represent him here.
Contact the writer: enissley@timesshamrock.com
4 posted comments