DA transition off to a rough start

By SCOTT JOHNSON — sjohnson@lockhaven.com
LOCK HAVEN — Former District Attorney Ted McKnight is defending his decision to restrict access to his office prior to today as a means of protecting the sanctity of important files.

Other court officials — who don’t necessarily see it that way — have expressed anger and frustration over what they say has been McKnight’s refusal to talk with new District Attorney Mike Salisbury.

But McKnight, who has served as the county’s DA for the past 24 years, said it was the other way around.

Several court officials on Saturday spoke of a sign on the door of the McKnight’s office, 322 E. Water St., limiting access.

The sign stated, “This is the office of the District Attorney Ted McKnight until midnight on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Anyone wanting admission, please contact the district attorney through the communications center. Otherwise, do not enter.”

“I’m protecting the sanctity of my office and the criminal records,” McKnight said. “It is my office and I want to be able to use it until I’m out of office. (Salisbury) has never asked me to have access to that office. He asked me a long time ago to cooperate and I said I would, and I have never heard from him since.

“This is my last day and a half in office and I want to proceed in peace,” he continued. “(Salisbury) elected not to talk to me or do anything with me.”

Court officials suspected that McKnight destroyed all of his personal files dealing with ongoing criminal cases, but McKnight vehemently denied those claims and showed The Express the files, intact, on Saturday.

Files of those who will start the criminal process today with “Call of the List” were stacked neatly on the desk of Assistant District Attorney Lori Rexroth.

Ongoing case files remain in the filing cabinet, with those of convicted murderers Fabian Smart and Shonda Walter locked in a separate room.

DA Salisbury starts his tenure today with about 30 to 40 cases on the “Call of the List,” along with 30 new cases in Central Court.

The office staff also is undergoing an almost complete transformation.

Former victim/witness coordinator Jean Shepherd was fired by the county commissioners — at the recommendation of Salisbury — effective Friday with Jennifer Bottorf proposed to take that seat.

In addition, Robert D. O’Connor Jr., Salisbury’s former law partner, is proposed to replace Rexroth; Virginia Pizzuto is proposed as full-time administrative assistant/office manager, replacing part-time administrative assistant-office manager Donna Keeler; and Tom Mills is replacing John Keeler as county detective.

The new board of commissioners is expected to take action on those requests shortly.