Tuesday, October 28, 2003

BUTLER COUNTY: Mother to stand trial

A Butler County woman accused of suffocating her baby is competent to stand trial, a Butler County judge ruled yesterday.

Tracy Lynn McCurdy, of Evans City, may be mentally retarded, but she is capable of cooperating with her defense, Butler County prison psychiatrist Dr. Grace McGorrian testified yesterday.

According to statements McCurdy gave police after her baby died on Oct. 4, 2002, she had pressed her infant daughter's face to her bosom, locked her arms behind the baby's head, and held her that way until she stopped breathing. She told police she had done the same four times before to quiet the baby.

McGorrian said she evaluated McCurdy on Sunday and determined that she has become more familiar with the legal system and is now "minimally competent." At least two studies show McCurdy to have an IQ in the 50s.

SENECA VALLEY: Tylinski to head schools

The school board voted 8-0 last night to hire Donald Tylinski as superintendent.

Tylinski is currently superintendent of Mount Pleasant Area School District. He will join Seneca Valley in February or March as assistant to Superintendent Gerald Malecki and become superintendent when Malecki retires on June 30.

Tylinski, who was awarded a five-year contract, will be paid $130,000 annually.

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