U. Darby police face no charges in DUI case
U. Darby police face no charges in DUI case
A yearlong grand jury probe had studied the quashed drunken-driving arrest of a "friend" of the department.
By Jeff Shields
Inquirer Staff Writer
No criminal charges will be filed against current or former Upper Darby police officials in connection with the alleged attempt to quash a drunken-driving case for a "friend" of the department.
A yearlong grand jury investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office closed last month without criminal charges. Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green said he was informed yesterday by letter.
"There was insufficient evidence to conclude that there was a deliberate attempt by anyone on the Upper Darby police force to obstruct justice," said Kevin Harley, spokesman for Attorney General Tom Corbett.
The attorney general opened an investigation in December 2004 after a series of Inquirer stories documented the handling of a 2003 drunken-driving arrest. Over the 12 months of the grand jury's investigation, at least 20 Police Department employees were called to testify.
Dante Panichi 3d of Bala Cynwyd was arrested Feb. 27, 2003, and charged with drunken driving - his fourth such arrest - but was released the next morning without prosecution. Arresting Officer Jerome Brown said a superior officer called him the next day and informed him that Panichi was "a friend of ours," according to Brown's attorney. The paperwork linked to the arrest disappeared.
After the Inquirer stories, Green reopened the case, while also asking the attorney general to investigate. It is common for district attorneys to ask the attorney general to handle investigations involving police departments in their counties, Harley said.
Panichi was convicted in April and is serving 15 to 30 months in prison. Police Superintendent Vincent J. Ficchi retired in September and was replaced by longtime Philadelphia Police Officer Michael Chitwood Sr.
A yearlong grand jury probe had studied the quashed drunken-driving arrest of a "friend" of the department.
By Jeff Shields
Inquirer Staff Writer
No criminal charges will be filed against current or former Upper Darby police officials in connection with the alleged attempt to quash a drunken-driving case for a "friend" of the department.
A yearlong grand jury investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office closed last month without criminal charges. Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green said he was informed yesterday by letter.
"There was insufficient evidence to conclude that there was a deliberate attempt by anyone on the Upper Darby police force to obstruct justice," said Kevin Harley, spokesman for Attorney General Tom Corbett.
The attorney general opened an investigation in December 2004 after a series of Inquirer stories documented the handling of a 2003 drunken-driving arrest. Over the 12 months of the grand jury's investigation, at least 20 Police Department employees were called to testify.
Dante Panichi 3d of Bala Cynwyd was arrested Feb. 27, 2003, and charged with drunken driving - his fourth such arrest - but was released the next morning without prosecution. Arresting Officer Jerome Brown said a superior officer called him the next day and informed him that Panichi was "a friend of ours," according to Brown's attorney. The paperwork linked to the arrest disappeared.
After the Inquirer stories, Green reopened the case, while also asking the attorney general to investigate. It is common for district attorneys to ask the attorney general to handle investigations involving police departments in their counties, Harley said.
Panichi was convicted in April and is serving 15 to 30 months in prison. Police Superintendent Vincent J. Ficchi retired in September and was replaced by longtime Philadelphia Police Officer Michael Chitwood Sr.
posted by kateykakes at 1/04/2006 08:16:00 PM
10Comments:
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
whoa ok yeah...um...You have a valid point but the ethnic slurs aren't helping you get it across. All your doing is fueling hatred with all that. I don't even know you and I already hope to never meet you.
I'm curious...
What the hell did I miss?
Hi Kate. You missed an arrogent person who came off way too strong. So I deleted his post. I will not tolerate flame baiting trolls.
You, sir, are da man! ;)
I see that "Media Mike" wants to become gov of his "Home State" of Maine. Good riddance I say if that is his only fuel for fighting crime.
Media Mike turned down the offer from Maine. I feel safer already. (Hope he ain't mad at me)
Upper Darby Police did this again just this past weekend. They were called to the scene of an accident where the driver was admittedly drunk but was a police officer in the next town. He struck a parked car QUITE badly and begged witnesses not to call the police because if he got a DUI he woul dlose his job. When the police showed up, they never gave the man a breathalyzer, wouldn't give the owner of the damaged car his name or insurance information and told everyone that he was going to the hospital for a blood test. Now the tumor is that they never took him to the hospital and he wasn't charged with DUI. I think it's a disgrace. I feel sorry for the poor crying girl who lost he beloved car because of this irresponsible person. He's lucky she wasn't in the car or crossing the street because he would have killed her. He should have to pay for his recklessness. This township is so corrupt it disgusts me to live here.
I can't believe that the charges were dropped. I KNOW THAT RHODES DID THIS FOR OTHER PEOPLE- - -including HIS WIFE'S RELATIVE. He told me!!!!! AND, this happened at the same time the subject DUI happened!!! Coincidence, I think not! What a joke!
I agree. They help their own kind. When you do try tio explain anything to the UD Police theyact like they don't hear you especially if your black. I have complaints against theri cops and they protect their own. Officer. Fransiosa and his boss Sgt. Patterson are an example.
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