Attorney for former prison guard applies for ARD
The attorney for a former Fayette County Prison guard accused of assaulting an inmate last year filed for admission to a pretrial diversionary program on Wednesday. If a judge admits Joseph Yeagley, 35, of Uniontown to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, he will serve a probationary term, at the end of which his record will be expunged. Participation in the program does not require an admission of guilt.
Yeagley is charged with simple assault, harassment and official oppression after he allegedly assaulted Timothy Reckner of Uledi in September 2009.
State police alleged Yeagley, represented by attorney Mark Mehalov, punched Reckner in the arms and back, calling him a “snitch.”
Reckner was a key witness in the 2000 death of a newborn infant girl who became known as “Baby Mary.”
State police started investigating the assault when Reckner’s mother, Joanee Reckner, called them to report her son was being attacked.
Reckner previously testified that Yeagley and guard Bruce McCombie assaulted him on multiple occasions, including in areas of the prison not under video surveillance.
McCombie was not charged and gave police a written statement that indicated he saw Yeagley assault Reckner. McCombie reported that he also had slapped Reckner in the past, but indicated that he has known Reckner since high school, and they “joke” around.
At a March preliminary hearing in the matter, McCombie testified that he couldn’t remember if Yeagley hit Reckner, nor could he recall what he said to police.