William J "B.J." Snyder :: Murder+ of Kelley Jo (Wertz) Snyder :: 5 April 2015
Renovo Borough, Clinton County, is in North-Central, PA.
Day 43
Your One-Click Source* Of Lower Court:
All Charges --- No Bail --- Pre-Trial Confinement Since 4/11 --- MotionS ---
Next Scheduled 5/26 Court Date --- Advancement to Upper Court
Lower Court Criminal Docket Sheet:
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/docketsheets/MDJReport.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-25303-CR-0000027-2015 :
Charges:
18 § 2502 §§ A (H1) :: Murder Of The
First Degree
18 § 2502 §§ C (F1) :: Murder Of The
Third Degree
18 § 5510 (M2) :: Abuse Of Corpse
18 § 4910 §§ 2 (M2) :: Tamper With / Fabricate Physical Evidence [2 Counts]
18 § 4904 §§ B (M3) :: Unsworn Falsification
Grades of PA Crimes:
H1 = Heinous of 1st Degree; H2
F1 = Felony of 1st Degree; F2; F3
M1 = Misdemeanor of 1st Degree; M2; M3
S = Summary
*"Recent Entries made in the Court Filing Offices may not be
immediately reflected on these Docket Sheets..."
Historically, Most PA Charges Like These Are Closed-Out in Lower, Magisterial District Court,
then Advanced, with a New Docket Number, to Upper Courts of Common Pleas.
{ A when-issued Upper Court Docket Number should resemble: CP-18-CR-00002__-2015 }
If I Recall Correctly,
1.) A Police Criminal Complaint & Affidavit of Probable Cause may be made available to the Public. [AOPC 412A]
2.) Snyder continues to be represented by Court-Appointed Public Defender: David A. Strouse.
3.) Next Court Date
Scheduled for
Tuesday, May 26th.
3.1) Lower Court Preliminary Hearings are usually Open to the Public, & Media.
3.1.1) NO Audio, Video, or Other Recording Equipment is permitted.
3.1.2) PA has some provisions allowing Juveniles to testify via Video Recordings, and / or
Closed
Circuit
Tele
Vision.
3.2) If a Larger Courtroom is needed to accommodate the anticipated Spectators, and Media, a County Seat Courthouse Room, in Lock Haven, may be used.
3.3) Expect a Perpatrator Walk;
a Media Video of a Handcuffed, & Leg-Shackled Defendant being Escorted between the Transport Vehicle, & the Court Building Entrance Door.
3.4) If a Defendant Waives their Right to a Lower Court Preliminary Hearing, the Case is Automatically Advanced to Formal Arraignment in the Upper Court of Common Pleas.
4.) Cases Reaching the Upper Courts of Common Pleas can take Numerous Directions.
4.1) Prosecution can Notify of its Intention to Seek The Death Penalty.
4.1.1) A Death Penalty Certified Attorney must then be Furnished.
4.1.2) A Court Appointed Public Defender may still be involved.
4.2) Defense can attempt to negotiate a Plea Bargain.
4.2.1.1) A
First Degree Murder Conviction can result in a very bleak,
Death Row Sentence.
4.2.1.2) A
First Degree Murder Plea / Conviction can also mean
Life, a Lifer, in General Population.
4.2.2) A
Third Degree Murder Plea / Conviction can result in
Decades of Incarceration, also in General Population.
4.3.1) Defendant can request a Bench (Judge Only) Trial.
4.3.2) Defendant can request a Jury Trial.
4.3.2.1) Defendant can request a Change in Venue [VENN-you];
Case is Tried Several Counties Away, by a Non-Clinton County Jury.
4.3.2.2) Defendant can request a Change in Venire [venn-EYE-ree];
Jurors from several Counties away are Bussed-In to Clinton County, and Sequestered.
4.3.2.3) The Court may attempt to Impanel / Empanel a Local, Clinton County Jury.
4.4) Expect Numerous Motions, and Appeals of Rulings.
5.)
IMO, This Case Will Proceed Very Slowly, to Minimize Successful AppealS.
