Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Aliquippa siblings honored for turning in gun

Repost: from


Posted: Thursday, November 7, 2013 2:00 pm


By Justin Criado For The Times | 0 comments

ALIQUIPPA -- Three Aliquippa siblings were honored this week for doing the right thing and inadvertently helping a police investigation.

The children, ages 12, 10 and 8, received "One Aliquippa" awards at Wednesday's city council meeting for their actions Oct. 18 when the siblings found a handgun and turned it in to police.

The Times is not releasing the names of the mother and children in consideration of the family's safety.

"For them to do that prevented a long string of tragedies," Mayor Dwan Walker said. "The police force would still be looking for that weapon. I love those three kids."

The gun is suspected to be the one used by Ed Washington, 58, during an early-morning shooting Oct. 18 at Terrace Heights, in which Travaughn Moreland, 23, and a 16-year-old juvenile were shot, police said. Prior to his arrest, Washington had several outstanding warrants and was on the Beaver County Most Wanted list.

"He's been on the run for over three years," Assistant Police Chief Don Couch said. "The very next day these three young kids were walking up Waugaman Street in the day time and notice (the gun)."

Washington is awaiting a preliminary hearing and the gun is undergoing forensic testing. The two reported victims didn't suffer any serious injuries and were released from the hospital shortly after the incident, police said.

"We believe it was (the gun) he used," Couch said. "The gun itself is being processed for forensic evidence (,which takes several months)."


While walking up Linmar Hill, the three siblings came across the gun when the 10-year-old tripped over a pile of leaves where the gun and a cell phone were hidden. Instead of keeping the gun or accidentally mishandling it, the three immediately called the police from the cellphone, officials said.


www.palettalaw.com

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Criminal Defense Attorney for College Students

Criminal Defense Attorney for College Students
I am a Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney who represents college students charged with crimes such as DUI, Public Intox., and Possession.
Having worked with many college students and professionals such as Doctors and Nurses who have been charged with crimes which could jeopardize their college education and professional career, I understand how important it is for my clients to receive the best possible outcome available and one that will not damage their record.  For this reason, I work closely with my clients to develop a strategy that will assist in receiving an outcome most favorable to them.
If you are a college student or recent graduate who is just starting your professional career and you have been charged with a crime, don't take the chance of harming your future by proceeding without an Attorney or at least consulting with one first.  Your future is too important; contact me to discuss your situation.


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Case Updates - Weapons charges

Check out Attorney Paletta's Recent Case Results Blog for details on his most recent Non-Jury Trial where the Defendant allegedly at close range, shot the victim with a handgun 2 times with the intent to kill or cause S.B.I.

See the case Captioned Commonwealth v. R.P. for more details.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in PA

Many times potential clients contact our office hoping to gain knowledge on why it is that they are unable to obtain a license to possess a firearm. 

In most cases, after some background research has been done by us, we uncover that at one point in time this individual has been convicted of a certain offense that Pennsylvania identifies under section 6105 relating to Persons not to possess, use, manufature, control, sell or transfer firearms.

The individual then explains that at the time of pleading guilty to or being convicted of that offense, they were unaware of how they would be affected in the future by this specific offense.

Section 6105 explains that if you have been convicted of any of the following offenses regardless of the length of sentence or whose conduct meets the criteria in subsection (c) of this section, shall not possess, use, manufature, control, sell or transfer firearms.
          
These offesnses are:

Section 908 (relating to prohibited offensive weapons).
Section 911 (relating to corrupt organizations).
Section 912 (relating to possession of weapon on school property).
Section 2502 (relating to murder).
Section 2503 (relating to voluntary manslaughter).
Section 2504 (relating to involuntary manslaughter) if the offense is based on the reckless use of a firearm.
Section 2702 (relating to aggravated assault).
Section 2703 (relating to assault by prisoner).
Section 2704 (relating to assault by life prisoner).
Section 2709.1 (relating to stalking).
Section 2716 (relating to weapons of mass destruction).
Section 2901 (relating to kidnapping).
Section 2902 (relating to unlawful restraint).
Section 2910 (relating to luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure).
Section 3121 (relating to rape).
Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse).
Section 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault).
Section 3301 (relating to arson and related offenses).
Section 3302 (relating to causing or risking catastrophe).
Section 3502 (relating to burglary).
Section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass) if the offense is graded a felony of the second degree or higher.
Section 3701 (relating to robbery).
Section 3702 (relating to robbery of motor vehicle).
Section 3921 (relating to theft by unlawful taking or disposition) upon conviction of the second felony offense.
Section 3923 (relating to theft by extortion) when the offense is accompanied by threats of violence.
Section 3925 (relating to receiving stolen property) upon conviction of the second felony offense.
Section 4906 (relating to false reports to law enforcement authorities) if the fictitious report involved the theft of a firearm as provided in section 4906(c)(2).
Section 4912 (relating to impersonating a public servant) if the person is impersonating a law enforcement officer.
Section 4952 (relating to intimidation of witnesses or victims).
Section 4953 (relating to retaliation against witness , victim or party).
Section 5121 (relating to escape).
Section 5122 (relating to weapons or implements for escape).
Section 5501(3) (relating to riot).
Section 5515 (relating to prohibiting of paramilitary training).
Section 5516 (relating to facsimile weapons of mass destruction).
Section 6110.1 (relating to possession of firearm by minor).
Section 6301 (relating to corruption of minors).
Section 6302 (relating to sale or lease of weapons and explosives).
(Any offense equivalent to any of the above-enumerated offenses under the prior laws of this Commonwealth or any offense equivalent to any of the above-enumerated offenses under the statutes of any other state or of the United States.)


Hopefully this post gives a little guidance to those who find themselves in a situation like the one explained above.


www.palettalaw.com