Judge says he’s received nothing to review in Blair case
Fayette County President Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi, who oversees the county’s magisterial district judges, said Tuesday that there is “nothing before me to review” in reference to a recommendation made by coroner’s jurors that he review the conduct of Magisterial District Judge Mark L. Blair. Following an inquest last week into the death of Jeffrey E. Sakaguchi, the six-person jury recommended that Blair, a Uniontown district judge currently seeking re-election, be reviewed after he gave apparent conflicting statements to police regarding Sakaguchi’s Sept. 15 death.
Sakaguchi, 47, of Ohiopyle shot himself in the head in his home and left a suicide note, according to investigators.
Blair and Sakaguchi, according to statements given to police, were longtime friends. There were allegations of an extramarital affair between Sakaguchi’s wife, Alison, and Blair. Additionally, there was testimony that Sakaguchi may have been having an affair with an employee in the courthouse, where he was employed.
The couple had separated in February 2006.
Through statements read at the inquest, Blair and Alison Sakaguchi denied romantic ties while the couple was married.
Investigating trooper Charles Morrison testified that Blair told police on Sept. 15 that he might have gunshot residue on his hands because he had been handling guns that afternoon. Morrison testified that Blair also told investigators they would find his fingerprints on a glass on the coffee table where Jeffrey Sakaguchi was found.
Because gunshot residue tests for Jeffrey and Alison Sakaguchi are pending, the jury also recommended that investigators look further into the case once those are received. Blair’s hands were tested for gunshot residue, but the test indicated there was none.
Blair also told police that his fingerprints might be on the gun Sakaguchi used to kill himself because he had handled it in the past.
He also reportedly told police that Sakaguchi had financial problems and he was trying to help Jeffrey Sakaguchi with them. Testimony at the inquest indicated that Blair, a longtime police officer before being elected magisterial district judge, told Morrison that he felt Sakaguchi’s problems were consistent with drug addition.
He also reportedly told police that he worried Sakaguchi was involved with child pornography.
Morrison said on Tuesday that police examined both a laptop and a home computer at Sakaguchi’s home and found nothing to substantiate the pornography claim.