Harlow Cuadra's PCRA hearing has been continued until May 20, 2013. Ironically, the original petition was filed on May 3, 2012.
Michael Melnick filed a motion last week to disqualify Harlow's attorney Demetrius Fannick (pictured above). The motion was withdrawn by Shannon Crake, who prosecuted Cuadra with Melnick. Crake is now handling the PCRA from the DA's office. She recently returned from maternity leave and needs more time to catch up.
Melnick left the DA's office and is now in private practice. How does he still have authority to file motions in this case? Seems strange. Also it's ironic that he was trying to get Fannick disqualified AGAIN, since Fannick's disqualification from the trial is one of the issues he brings up in the petition.
ReplyDeleteAnd PC I just noticed that you added a photo of the first page of the petition to the previous post. Do you have the whole thing? Reading it would probably clarify the Times Leader article.
Believe it or not, Melnick is still a ADA.
ReplyDeleteI do have a copy of the entire petition and will post it in the next day or so.
Well it says here that he's a "Former first assistance [sic] district attorney." I guess that means he's no longer "first" but is still an ADA and simultaneously has a private practice? I didn't know that was allowed.
ReplyDeleteOOPS I just found this passage in the final chapter of your book: "Melnick's busy schedule continues, split between his work as a courtroom litigator for the district attorney's office and his private practice." So that clears that up. I really thought he'd retired from the DA's office for some reason.
ReplyDeleteSince he's no longer "first", Melnick isn't obligated by this rule: http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/348/chapter1/s1.5-505.html
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