Progressive Allegheny County Council member Bethany Hallam issued a proclamation Tuesday in support of a district judge who recently was barred from presiding over arraignment hearings by county court leadership.
The judge, who identifies as non-binary and who campaigned on a platform questioning cash bail, has released defendants facing serious charges without bail, some of whom then skipped town, raising the ire of law enforcement officials including County Sheriff Kevin Kraus and District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.
Ms. Hallam sponsored the proclamation in recognition of Xander Orenstein, who serves as a magistrate judge in Lawrenceville. The proclamation states that Judge Orenstein is the first non-binary person elected to a judicial position in the United States, and it commends Judge Orenstein for their work in disease and cancer research, along with housing advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation also summarizes the judge’s views on criminal justice, which have been backed by some criminal justice reform advocates and progressives.
One man the judge released without cash bail, Yan Carlos Pichardo Cepeda, then 27, from New York state, was alleged to have had over a million dollars worth of fentanyl when he was arrested at the Greyhound bus station in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Another, Hermas Craddock, then 37, led state troopers on a high-speed chase through Aspinwall, Sharpsburg and parts of Pittsburgh in early April, according to the sheriff’s office, and was charged with over five dozen offenses, including seven felonies, some of which were gun charges. Court records show he was already out on $25,000 bond awaiting trial on separate firearms charges. After he too was released without bail by Judge Orenstein, he failed to show up for court.
Ms. Hallam did not comment on the proclamation during the meeting, but her proclamation reads, in part: “Xander’s strongest belief when it comes to justice — not law, which they say is different — comes down to treating others with respect and kindness … [they are] loved by many people in the neighborhood, [and] Xander is recognized for the many renters and landlords they helped with mediation, the queer people they’ve married, and the great violence prevention work.”
A county courts spokesperson said Tuesday that Judge Orenstein was still barred by county court leadership for an “indefinite period of time.” The spokesperson declined to comment on what an “indefinite period of time” means.
Sheriff Kraus said he understands the need for criminal justice reform, but that public safety should remain of utmost importance.
“I get different philosophies. I understand that reform,” he said recently. “But at the end of the day, I think public safety and the safety of the community and the safety of our family members is paramount [and] it should be considered when these decisions are being made.”
He declined to comment through a spokesperson on Tuesday. Mr. Zappala, who also has been critical of Judge Orenstein, could not be reached for comment.
Changing of the infrastructure guard?
County Executive Sara Innamorato selected County Council members Dan Grzybek and Robert Palmosina to serve on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, respectively.
Council members Bob Macey and Nicholas Futules currently serve on those boards, and will be replaced by Mr. Grzybek and Mr. Palmosina, if the latter two are approved by council in the coming weeks.
“It’s a generational change going on, and that’s OK,” Mr. Macey told the Post-Gazette before Tuesday’s meeting.
Mr. Macey has been on the SPC for over a decade, and said that over the years, he’s been a part of approving billions of dollars for bridges, roads and similar projects in the region. He said some of his proudest work is ensuring the Mon-Fayette Expressway, a highway connecting West Virginia to Jefferson Hills, through Fayette County, Washington County, and the Mon Valley, gets built.
The County Council decided recently not to reappoint Mr. Macey to the SPC, after he made comments at a hearing about a proposed cease-fire resolution in the Israel-Hamas War that offended several of his opponents.
On Tuesday, Mr. Macey told the Post-Gazette that he wished Mr. Grzybek, who many political observers believe is a more progressive member of council, the best in the new role, given that he is appointed.
The Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County is involved with projects and maintenance of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and its Riverfront Plaza, along with overseeing work at the professional stadiums and other infrastructure, such as parking garages.
Mr. Futules said before Tuesday’s meeting that he and members approve roughly $100 million of repair and maintenance projects involving the convention center annually. He said he’s served on the board for roughly eight years.
Mr. Futules said he did not ask to step down from the role. He declined to state whether Ms. Innamorato’s picks for replacing him and Mr. Macey on the boards was a sign of shifting politics. He urged Mr. Palmosina or whomever replaces him to keep colleagues abreast of projects occurring at the convention center or elsewhere.
“I am happy that she’s keeping council members on these boards,” Mr. Futules said of Ms. Innamorato’s picks. “If it’s not me, and it’s somebody else, that’s fine. I think that’s the most important thing, given how many [council] members we have.”
First Published: May 8, 2024, 12:22 a.m.
Updated: May 8, 2024, 5:08 p.m.
