Orie demonized by DA
We know the Jane Orie corruption case is going to be interesting. The latest proof is a claim from the state senator's lawyer during a preliminary hearing that the charges from DA Stephen Zappala's office stem from a personal vendetta against her.
William Costopoulos introduced the composite picture captioned "Jane Orie Photo Array" during the first day of her pretrial hearing on theft of services and conflict of interest charges.
The photocopy appears to be a mock photo lineup, a collection of mug shots shown to help witnesses identify a criminal perpetrator. The photocopied display shows Orie's picture juxtaposed with four others: two demons, an unknown person making a funny face and a photo of Detective Lyle Graber, the lead investigator on her case.
Graber was testifying about several search warrants he obtained when Costopoulos unexpectedly began asking if Graber possessed any "disparaging" photos of Orie. When Graber said he didn't, Costopoulos produced the photocopy, which Graber denied making but acknowledged seeing "several" times near a receptionist's area at his investigative offices in suburban Dormont.
(h/t GrassrootsPa)
UPDATE: The PG's Paula Reed Ward has the story too.