Hearings to determine possible trials
Preliminary hearings for 17 people accused of supplying alcohol to underage students involved in two pedestrian accidents last semester will be held today.
Fifteen of the 17 defendants are Penn State students. The hearing at the Centre County Courthouse will determine whether the misdemeanor charges the defendants face -- furnishing or selling liquor to minors and unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licenses -- will be sent to trial.
Eleven of the defendants are charged for allegedly supplying alcohol Dec. 2 to freshman Michael Drauch, 18. State College police said a former Penn State student drove drunk and hit Drauch near the Meridian apartment complex, 646 E. College Ave. Six others are charged for allegedly supplying alcohol Oct. 28 to Penn State junior Anthony Torsell, 20. Police said Torsell drove drunk and hit two men, killing one and critically injuring another.
If convicted, each defendant could face up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines, police said. In December, State College Police Sgt. Keith Robb said each person charged received two misdemeanor summons for which the minimum fine is $1,000 for a first offense. He said police believe all defendants are first-time offenders.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board files the second charge, which adds a $500 fine, police said.
Man accused of DUI rear-ends vehicle
A State College man is accused of drunken and careless driving for rear-ending another vehicle at about 5 p.m. Monday on the 1800 block of South Atherton Street, State College police said.
Police said Mark Delorenzo, 40, of 283 Easterly Parkway, drove a 1999 Dodge Dakota northbound on South Atherton Street and struck a Centre Hall resident's 1992 Cadillac near Branch Road. Delorenzo had a .249 blood-alcohol content, police said. Police said that before being arrested, Delorenzo said he "had a few beers." The Centre Hall resident told police she was stopped at a red light at the intersection of South Atherton Street and Branch Road when her vehicle was hit, according to the accident report. The left brake light and reflector and the plastic trim on the car's bumper were damaged, police said.
Former police officer refuses plea offer
A former State College police officer declined a plea offer yesterday in relation to his alleged actions toward a former girlfriend and colleague, Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said. Jeffrey Chiston, 45, is charged with stalking, three counts of criminal mischief and harassment.
Madeira said Monday that Chiston's attorney, Karen Muir, had informed him that Chiston would plead guilty to criminal mischief. Madeira said he would have requested Chiston receive a probation sentence. He added that, because Chiston declined, the offer is no longer available. At yesterday's hearing, Chiston pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial, Madeira said. Jury selection is scheduled for Feb. 5.
Muir did not return a request for comment yesterday.
