Court briefs
Man convicted
A Waltersburg man was convicted Tuesday of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) by a panel of Fayette County jurors. Dr. John Martinelli, who will be sentenced at a later date, could now face a minimum penalty of 30 days in jail because this is not is first DUI conviction. State police pulled Martinelli, 60, over along Route 21 last July after they saw his car weave in and out of the oncoming lane. As part of the stop, the troopers had Martinelli perform field sobriety tests, which he failed. A blood test indicated that Martinelli’s alcohol level was .11 percent. That is only slightly over .10, the legal limit for drivers in Pennsylvania. Attorney Francis R. Murrman represented Martinelli. Assistant District Attorney Phyllis A. Jin prosecuted the case. Judge Steve P. Leskinen will sentence Martinelli at a later date.
Suspect acquitted
Robert J. Collins, 35, of Connellsville was acquitted Tuesday of two counts of terroristic threats in Fayette County Court. Collins allegedly called the home of Katherine Fair and Tina Stockman and threatened the mother and daughter. Connellsville police alleged that Collins called 10 times on Oct. 13, 2001, from his home to their 703 Morrell Avenue home. Collins was represented by Assistant Public Defender Susan Ritz Harper and Assistant District Attorney Kimberly D. Kovach prosecuted the case. Judge John F. Wagner Jr. presided.
Testimony to resume
Testimony will pick up the morning in the case levied against Glenn R. Stahll of Mount Pleasant. State police charged that Stahll, 23, hit Theresa Benton, 38, along Route 982 at the intersection of Englishman Hill Road and left the scene of the 12:37 a.m. accident last Aug. 13. When police found Stahll later that day, he allegedly smelled of alcohol. He is charged with accidents involving damage and various traffic citations. Judge Steve P. Leskinen is presiding over the case.