Bradford County DA Says No Reason To Reopen Vestal Man's Case

7/20/2012 (Updated 6:50:43 PM)

NO REASON AT THIS POINT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION.
THAT'S THE POSITION OF BRADFORD COUNTY'S DISTRICT ATTORNEY,  REGARDING THE ALLEGED POLICE BEATING OF A VESTAL MAN.

"There's no credible information on which we could base charges.  There's no information that would suggest there's any more witnesses or evidence out there.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO BRADFORD COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DANIEL BARRETT REGARDING THE CASE OF ROBERT LEONE,  BUT LEONE'S PARENTS DISAGREE

"Were looking for a federal investigation to open up this whole Pandora's box of police brutality against our son, an official cover-up and the illegal incarceration of our son.  He's in there on false charges which there's evidence for, but the public defender never used at its trial" said Joan Leone,

THE LEONE'S SAY THAT A YOU TUBE VIDEO OF POLICE SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE SHOWS THAT THEIR SON WAS BRUTALLY BEATEN BY STATE POLICE, AFTER A HIGHWAY STOP IN BRADFORD COUNTY IN 2010.

THE SITE SHOWS THAT MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE NOW SEEN THE VIDEO AND MANY PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING AN INVESTIGATION.

HOWEVER, THE D.A. SAYS ROBERT LEONE HAS HAD HIS DAY IN COURT AND THAT IF THERE'S OTHER EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES THEY'LL BE HAPPY TO REVIEW IT.  THE LEONES HAVE ASKED PENNSYLVANIA CONGRESSMAN TOM MARINO  TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER.  ACCORDING TO MARINO'S STAFF, THE LAWMAKER HAS RECEIVED A QUOTE: "HANDFUL OF CALLS" ASKING HIM TO REVIEW THE CASE.

"Ultimately were going to talk as staff with local law enforcement, state law enforcement officials and advise the Congressman.  Ultimately it will be his decision as to whether or not he wants to encourage the Dept. of Justice to investigate this as a civil rights investigation or something like that"

AT THEIR HOME IN VESTAL, THE LEONES FEEL THAT SUCH AN INVESTIGATION IS CLEARLY NEEDED.

"Justice and freedom for Robert Leone, and that he'd be a voice for those who have no voice." said Joan Leone.

ROBERT LEONE WAS CONVICTED OF SEVERAL CHARGES, INCLUDING ASSAULT AND RESISTING ARREST.  HE'S CURRENTLY SERVING A 2 AND A HALF TO 4 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE..

For Fox 40 News, I'm Tom Allen.






















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