Pa. sheriff headed to trial on threat claims
BEAVER (AP) – A judge says a Western Pennsylvania sheriff should go to trial on allegations he threatened to cut off the hands of a political campaign worker and threatened to shoot an online news reporter.
Judge Michael L. Gerheim heard nearly five hours of testimony Monday before agreeing that most of the 11 charges against 65-year-old Beaver County Sheriff George David should go to trial.
David has denied the charges and remains in office because county officials are powerless to remove him and state legislators haven’t made an effort to do so.
David was arrested last month on charges including terroristic threats, witness intimidation and obstructing an investigation. The charges stem from alleged encounters since November 2011.