news in brief

Erie – Attorneys for an Erie lawyer charged with sexually assaulting a man have asked that his trial be moved out of the area.

Philip Friedman, attorney for Daniel W. Susi, filed a motion to either have the trial moved or have the jurors selected from another county.

Friedman said in the motion that Erie County Assistant District Attorney Christian Trabold has given details of the case to members of the local media.

Erie County Judge Stephanie Domitrovich is set to rule on the motion today.

Susi, a solicitor for the Erie County Board of Assessment Appeals, is scheduled to go on trial in March. He is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor and indecent assault.

His accuser said he was sleeping in Susi’s basement April 3 when he awoke to find Susi performing oral sex on him. The man had been working at Susi’s apartment building to pay off a legal debt and that the two went out for drinks before returning to the apartment, police said.

Susi has pleaded innocent and is free on $25,000 bond.

Judge Approves Wrongful Death Settlement Pittsburgh – A federal judge approved a compromise settlement last week in the wrongful death lawsuit against a suburban Pittsburgh police officer.

Lillian Barrett sued John Vojtas, now a Brentwood Borough police officer, and the borough of Brentwood alleging wrongful death and violation of the civil rights of her daughter. Her daughter, Judith Barrett, was engaged to Vojtas when she committed suicide with his service revolver in June 1993.

Plaintiffs said Judith Barrett killed herself because of alleged abuse by Vojtas, and Brentwood contributed to her suicide by failing to discipline Vojtas for repeated reports of domestic violence.

In August 1999, the U.S. District Court found that Vojtas and Brentwood did not violate Judith Barrett’s civil rights, but found Vojtas liable in her death. Brentwood, Lillian Barrett and Vojtas appealed.

Defendants will pay plaintiffs a total of $125,000, including attorneys fees and costs. Lillian Barrett and Jacqueline Barrett O’Toole – Judith Barrett’s daughter – will each receive one half of the settlement amount.

U.S. District Judge Robert Cindrich praised Barrett’s insurance carrier and the attorneys for reaching a resolution amenable to all parties and putting a painful, difficult case to rest.

U.S. Court Throws Out Bone Screw Lawsuit