Attorney General watch

On November 4, a little more than 6 months from now, Pennsylvanians will have the opportunity to vote for the next state Attorney General...4 more years of the same Tom Corbett (unless, as some suggest, he has his eye on the governorship in 2009), or 4 new years of John Morganelli.

There are issues in the race for Pennsylvania AG. No doubt we shall hear (from ‘Friends of Tom Corbett’) all about TC's successes. http://www.tomcorbett2008.com/index.php . . .No doubt we shall also hear (from 'Citizens for John Morganelli’) all about TC’s failures too. http://www.johnmorganelli.com/

Ray Gricar was a county district attorney, a representative of the Commonwealth. The AG has a moral (if not legal) obligation to publicly remonstrate against the failed local investigation, and to publicly, and at the state level, press for an answer to RG’s disappearance.

But will RG's plight be among the campaign issues? And will we hear from the candidates themselves on this issue? For more than 3 years, TC has used his flacks to publicly dodge the RG quagmire. And early indications are that JM has no intention of making RG’s plight a campaign issue. My response is, that essentially leaves us where we are (where we have been for 3+ years) and it is not nearly good enough...not from the candidates who want to be the chief law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania.

Oftentimes a single issue can sway blocks of voters. It appears to be up to the public and the media to make RG’s plight a campaign issue. I hope that happens. I hope it is discussed and debated. And I hope there will be some ‘meat’ to add to this bare-boned thread in the coming months. Time will tell.

All of the above is JMOO.

All JMOO (wearing my new ‘political analyst/activist’ cap):

Come November, TC’s number one dilemma will be the national climate of change. What helped him (a Republican) in 2004 (when, out of more than 5.42 million votes cast, he garnered less than a 109-thousand plurality) will work against him this year. Add to that serious allegations of a possible conflict of interest regarding one or more contributors to his ‘war chest’. And add to that his complete and utter (public, official) disregard toward the unexplained disappearance of one of the state’s law enforcement representatives.

I will look closely for what both candidates intend to do, if elected, to reverse three years of state inaction and initiative in investigating the RG disappearance. And if, come November, they both have refused to commit (publicly), I will vote accordingly and move on to press Centre Countians to do the same analysis next year, when MM comes up for re-election.

That’s right. Though I may not be as active here in coming months...and I am just one person...I have this year’s and next year’s political objectives lined up.

MOO - When given the choice between two equally qualified candidates, the decision often comes down to the 'finer' points...especially when, as in this unprecedented, national 'year of the Democrat', any Republican incumbent's sense of security has already been wiped out. Tom Corbett has steadfastly refused to acknowledge his moral obligation to drive the Ray Gricar investigation. How saith Morganelli? This is as good a tipping point as there is. A moment of reflection is in order: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHpye0M34JQ

[Cloudbuster]

Originally posted by logicworks [*]

Pennsylvania has an long overdue obligation to fulfill. Ray Gricar is 'owed' a full investigation by the State, one that should have been shouldered by the State to begin with instead of being carried off, cast off or driven off by someone or something.

Since the investigating county isn't the county where the evidence was found, it appears whatever was believed to have occured, was to have originated in Centre County, not Union County. Taking it from the hands of the county where there was evidence of possible foul play and returning it to Centre County then leaves the two theory investigation, suicide without a body or walk away.

It's as if the evidence found in Union County doesn't exist. All one has to do is ignore everything......Just ignore ashes in a non-smoker's vehicle; ignore a laptop found in a river in an area that had previously been searched; ignore a hard drive found in an area that had been searched; ignore the fact there were no readable prints of RG's found inside the vehicle; ignore the fact that the 'lead' investigator hid that from family and public......just ignore it all, and sure 'nuff, you've got a walk-away. Homicide has been proven without a body, but suicide cannot be proven without a body. Walk-away without a body is forever nothing but a theory.

The next months are indeed going to prove interesting. Now is the time for pressure on those who can and must make a difference. Justice and common sense demand a full investigation into the disappearance of Ray Gricar.

Centre County cannot and must not be permitted to 'cold case' that which is not now, nor has it ever been, their case by rights. An injustice has been done by the State and it must be corrected. If not, the shame lays forever at the State's door.
JMO [/*]

Here is a interesting yet sad story on a suicide. He was found within a few days.
11.25.97
Top criminal prosecutor takes his own life
Hundreds mourn Michael F. Burns at a hastily arranged Mass in downtown Providence.
By W. ZACHARY MALINOWSKI, MIKE STANTON and TRACY BRETON
Journal Staff Writers

http://www.projo.com/words/burns.htm

Montour County DA Bob Buehner was the guest today (Tuesday) on WKOK’s moderated program, “On The Mark”...responding to moderators’ and callers’ comments and questions. When a caller asked about Ray Gricar (a question, he quipped, which was inevitable), Buehner’s usual passionate and authoritative tone (I have listened to him speak before) ‘ratcheted’ up a notch or two.

There was no new information...and he admitted that his “great” friendship with RG tended to cloud his view. But just hearing how ‘juiced’ he is when speaking about his friend.....how he would often tease Ray about prosecuting Penn State football players but (jokingly) that Ray could not get him tickets to a game; his unshakable belief that his friend was murdered, and the chilling affect that has on all DAs; his questioning of the BPD’s jurisdiction and ability to manage the kind of investigation that is needed; and his disdain for the AG who he said “walked away from this case”, “a shame and shameful”, instead of showing leadership (reminded that he had previously called TC a “gutless coward”)...has a humanizing affect, an intimacy, not often displayed publicly, and almost never effectively communicated by the written word.

Anyway, I thank Bob Buehner for, once again, speaking up for Ray Gricar. I think this program can be heard...either this week or next at: http://www.wkok.com/1070_WKOK/OTM.htm
There was some discussion about this election year for AG. Buehner stopped short of commenting directly about that. But he did suggest that the one book we would not likely find on TC’s desk was “Profiles in Courage”. I really must find time to go watch Buehner in the courtroom. He, like Ray Gricar, is my kind of guy.

All JMOO

[Cloudbuster]

Thanks S1 for the update! I agree with you LW. It would also be nice if Mcnight would join in too.

[tonyGricar]

Originally posted by Serendipitous1 [*]Montour County DA Bob Buehner was the guest today (Tuesday) on WKOK’s moderated program, “On The Mark”...responding to moderators’ and callers’ comments and questions. When a caller asked about Ray Gricar (a question, he quipped, which was inevitable), Buehner’s usual passionate and authoritative tone (I have listened to him speak before) ‘ratcheted’ up a notch or two. [/*]

Thanks for the heads up, S1. I'll definitely give a listen.

Originally posted by tonyGricar
Thanks for the heads up, S1. I'll definitely give a listen.

Yesterday's program is available now.
http://www.wkok.com/1070_WKOK/OTM.htm
I had to find a high-speed connection...and I had to right-click on the program to open it. The Gricar discussion is in the last quarter, but I found the whole program interesting.

[J. J. in Phila]

"If someone can take out, and cause to vanish, or cause to one of Pennsylvania's 67 district attorneys they can do it to anybody." - - Montour County DA Bob Buehner

My own impression is that the people in Central PA do not believe that "someone" did it (rightly or wrongly).

I'm in complete agreement with Buehner on calling a grand jury.

I think he made a number of excellent points about the judicial system, including plea bargaining and the "CSI effect" that have been made here.

One possible reason for TC not calling a grand jury is that he he didn't want a major unsolved case.

My own partial transcript of comments made by Montour County District Attorney Bob Buehner, on WKOK’s “On the Mark” program, Tuesday, April 29, 2008. Listen to it if you can...the words alone will not always accurately reflect the tone of the speaker.

Caller (Jim from Shamokin): And what do you think, sir, with Ray Gricar?

Bob Buehner: Well, that was a question that I thought I’d be asked at some point today. And let me tell you Jim, Ray Gricar, the district attorney of Centre County for over 20 years [who] has gone missing from Lewisburg on April 15th and 16th of 2005, was a very close friend of mine.

I tell people the joke I had about Ray Gricar. Being the DA from Centre County, he had to prosecute a lot of football players from Penn State. So I’d always call him up in football season, and I’s say, “Hey Ray. Do you got any extra tickets for the big Penn State - Michigan game?” And he would...he’s a very serious fellow, and it would take him about ten seconds of silence and he’d go, “Would you stop that? You know I can’t get you any tickets!” I’d say, “Now listen Ray. I know you can get me tickets...just a matter of calling the coach up...”. And he actually told me he had actually never had spoken...with all the years of prosecuting people at Penn State (football players, etc.)...that no one from the athletic department ever actually reached out to him on those cases.

So, Ray Gricar and I had a standing joke. And in the summertime, when all the district attorneys get together for a week-long conference where we go over cases and latest court decisions, etc., he and I always went to dinner together. He enjoyed the comradery of his fellow district attorneys. So, that friendship clouds my view of this, because I just simply want to know what happened to my friend.

I think he was murdered. I don’t think that the leaders of law enforcement out in Centre County have done enough. [And] I think the attorney general has walked away from this case. He should be actively involved in this and he refuses. I was on the show with Greta Van Susteren several years ago, and I called for the attorney general to convene a grand jury and a special investigative group of officers, with a prosecutor leading the charge. And that fell on deaf ears.

It’s just a tragedy. They’re still treating this case, Jim, as if it were a missing person. Back in January ‘06, I was asking our attorney general to take over this case. And he, for whatever reason, refuses to do so.

Here’s what we have, Jim. We have a guy who was in Centre County, gone missing, who was seen in Union County last, and whose computer and its hard drive was found in Susquehanna River in Northumberland County. Now, the attorney general’s the only one who has statewide jurisdiction...and refuses to do so.

And he’s been very unpleasant to me when I have called upon him to take the case. Now, why wouldn’t the attorney general...why wouldn’t law enforcement across Pennsylvania be outraged that one of our own is missing. Absolutely, he’s refused. And it’s a shame. And it’s shameful. And I think that what I said one time...if you want me to be a little more provocative...

Moderator: I’ve heard you call him a gutless coward.

Bob Buehner: I did say that. But I also said, Jim, that there’s one book you won’t find on Attorney General Corbett’s bookshelf. And that’s called “Profiles in Courage”.

Moderator: Well yeah. It wouldn’t be politically expedient to do so if he’s running for re-election, which he is this year. He’d have a major unsolved case...

Bob Buehner: But imagine this Jim. If someone can take out, and cause to vanish, one of Pennsylvania’s 67 district attorneys, they could do it to anybody.

Jim: Oh yeah. Then you’d have to be afraid.

Bob Buehner: Absolutely. And to do so without a trace. I mean, there’s only 3 theories of what happened to Ray Gricar. Number one, he committed suicide. Number 2, he took a walkabout, he just took off and he’s sipping Mai Tais on some South Pacific island. Or 3, that he was murdered.

Jim: Just like that attorney general that got killed down in Lancaster.

Moderator: You mean U.S. attorney.

Bob Buehner: That was a U.S. attorney. At least they found a body there. We have no body of Ray Gricar that’s turned up, despite exhaustive efforts by (for example) the State Police up at Milton, who have gone up and down the Susquehanna River numerous times...with cadaver dogs, with boats, with helicopters. Nothing was ever found.

I dismiss the fact that he jumped into the river. Jim, as you know, the Susquehanna River over in Lewisburg...the last thing you want to do if you want to commit suicide is jump in the river in Lewisburg, off the river bridge. Because the only thing you are going to do is break your ankles. It’s not deep enough, frankly.

Originally posted by Cloudbuster
Thanks S1 for the update! I agree with you LW. It would also be nice if Mcnight would join in too.

Unbeknownst to me, Ted McKnight appears to have gotten bounced in last year's primary in Clinton County. And I cannot now find much of anything in the way of an explanation, online. But he has had his own problems to deal with. I suppose he has returned to full-time private practice. I wish him well. But yes, it would be nice if he were as outspoken as Bob Buehner.

DA transition off to a rough start
http://www.lockhaven.com/page/conten...id/500543.html

A Lycoming County judge awarded former Clinton County DA Ted McKnight damages for emotional distress caused by repeated threats from a man...
http://www.lockhaven.com/page/conten...id/501519.html

Originally posted by J. J. in Phila
"If someone can take out, and cause to vanish, or cause to one of Pennsylvania's 67 district attorneys they can do it to anybody." - - Montour County DA Bob Buehner

My own impression is that the people in Central PA do not believe that "someone" did it (rightly or wrongly).

I'm in complete agreement with Buehner on calling a grand jury.

I think he made a number of excellent points about the judicial system, including plea bargaining and the "CSI effect" that have been made here.

One possible reason for TC not calling a grand jury is that he he didn't want a major unsolved case.

And did you also catch the refinements being made to polygraph testing? As to the reason for TC's recalcitrance...I will go with the "gutless coward" quote. What saith Morganelli? MOO

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by Serendipitous1 [*]And did you also catch the refinements being made to polygraph testing? As to the reason for TC's recalcitrance...I will go with the "gutless coward" quote. What saith Morganelli? MOO [/*]

Yes, an a means of exoneration, without further evidence to the contrary (though, ironically, I take a slightly (and only slightly) dimmer view of a polygraph).

It does raise the question of what the "big secret" is. The "big secret" might be that TC doesn't want to take responsibility for an unsolvable case (though I'd be happy it if some things could be ruled out).

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by Serendipitous1

Bob Buehner: That was a U.S. attorney. At least they found a body there. We have no body of Ray Gricar that’s turned up, despite exhaustive efforts by (for example) the State Police up at Milton, who have gone up and down the Susquehanna River numerous times...with cadaver dogs, with boats, with helicopters. Nothing was ever found.

I dismiss the fact that he jumped into the river. Jim, as you know, the Susquehanna River over in Lewisburg...the last thing you want to do if you want to commit suicide is jump in the river in Lewisburg, off the river bridge. Because the only thing you are going to do is break your ankles. It’s not deep enough, frankly. [/*]

In fairness to everyone involved, the Susquehanna was much higher at the time. Still, looking at the history of the river, bodies usually do turn up.

[Cloudbuster]

Originally posted by Serendipitous1 [*]Unbeknownst to me, Ted McKnight appears to have gotten bounced in last year's primary in Clinton County. And I cannot now find much of anything in the way of an explanation, online. But he has had his own problems to deal with. I suppose he has returned to full-time private practice. I wish him well. But yes, it would be nice if he were as outspoken as Bob Buehner.

DA transition off to a rough start
http://www.lockhaven.com/page/conten...id/500543.html

A Lycoming County judge awarded former Clinton County DA Ted McKnight damages for emotional distress caused by repeated threats from a man...
http://www.lockhaven.com/page/conten...id/501519.html [/*]

WOW S1 the stories leave me with more questions than answers now lol, its all weird stuff. I would like to know why he was bounced from the primary too. I had no idea about any of this.

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by logicworks [*]

A couple of thoughts on the above quoted statement.
Question........does TC want elected into the AG position in November, or does he instead want to run for Governor in 2009? Losing the AG position would free him up to run for Governor, correct?

No. First, the Governorship isn't up until 2010. Second, losing it hurts fund raising and free media. Every time an AG makes a drug bust, he gets free TV, especially in "T" counties.

Others have run as state row officers for the governorship. Both Caseys (though one after), Bailey, Preate, Baker-Knoll, Fisher, and Dwyer was planning on a run for Lt. Governor, had the incitement come down. Lt. Governors are also in the mix with Scranton and Single

Letting the case 'ride' until a new AG comes in and takes over won't smear TC's record and any AG with one ounce of fortitude and moral fiber, is going to do what should have been done three years ago, take on the State's case.

The Ray Gricar case IS now and always has been the elephant that TC did not want laying in the middle of the State's office, so he shuffled it off to Bellefonte, where it simply lays. No one bothers it or disturbs it in anyway locally. They wouldn't know what to do with it if it did need attention.

No, there will be no pressure on that one either, unless public pressure builds.

The elephant being housed in Bellefonte belongs to the State. Don't let anyone fool you that it doesn't.
JMO [/*]

While it might belong to the state, only someone making it an issue will help.

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by logicworks [*]

I was referring to 2009 as year necessary for campaigning, not as election year. I would think a full year's work ahead of time would be a necessity for running for the key top position in PA.

What a conundrum, free TV or top position in the State as choices!

No, the conundrum is free television versus paid television ads. And a successful run for governor will have basically started at this point. It will be someone positioning himself years in advance.

A loss, or even a poor showing, could greatly undermine that.

TC's refusal to investigate his own case is a State shame, morally and politically wrong, that will not be forgotten when it comes time to vote.

Not by you, but by nearly everyone else. RFG is not a statewide issue; unless it ultimately becomes part of a statewide scandal, it never will be. I'm not happy about it, but that this the reality of the politics. It should be in Centre and Union Counties, and isn't.

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by logicworks [*]

Really? By nearly everyone else? I think you must be confused, since it's not what your neighbors obviously think, and one would think that to state such facts, it would, of course, be based on YOUR neighborhood action at the polls.


Philadelphia County
Democratic Primary

Candidate Votes Percent
MORGANELLI, JOHN M. (DEM)
270,086 100.0%
Republican Primary

Candidate Votes Percent
CORBETT, TOM (REP)
16,572 100.0%


http://www.electionreturns.state.pa....=27&OfficeID=5 [/*]

From the same source:

D
Obama 282,140

Clinton 150,534

D total: 432,674

R
Paul 3034

McCain 17, 113

Huckabee 1374

R total: 21,521

http://www.electionreturns.state.pa....=27&OfficeID=1

For both candidates, a number of voters didn't even bother to vote for a nominee for attorney general:

At least 4,949 Republicans didn't vote for Corbett.

At least 162,588 Democrats didn't bother to vote for Morganelli.

Not a hot race, not a groundswell. And that is in Philadelphia alone.

I would agree there is nothing significant about the AG primary results...where both candidates ran unnopposed, and the attention was on Clinton vs. Obama. But I believe national politics will inure to the benefit of Democrats in state races come November. The rest is up to Morganelli.

"War of Words Already Brewing Between A.G. Candidates" (WFMZ-TV, posted 02-06-2008):
http://wfmz.com/view/?id=211325

Pre-primary election, and taken out of context (perhaps), but a nonetheless interesting quote from Corbett: "We're not afraid to do investigations." This could become TC's 'mantra', if JM keeps him on the defensive...to include Ray Gricar's case. MOO

[day2day]

Originally posted by Serendipitous1 [*]I would agree there is nothing significant about the AG primary results...where both candidates ran unnopposed, and the attention was on Clinton vs. Obama. But I believe national politics will inure to the benefit of Democrats in state races come November. The rest is up to Morganelli.

"War of Words Already Brewing Between A.G. Candidates" (WFMZ-TV, posted 02-06-2008):
http://wfmz.com/view/?id=211325

Pre-primary election, and taken out of context (perhaps), but a nonetheless interesting quote from Corbett: "We're not afraid to do investigations." This could become TC's 'mantra', if JM keeps him on the defensive...to include Ray Gricar's case. MOO [/*]

Sighs...they aren't afraid to do them-they just DON'T bother....


jmo

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by Serendipitous1 [*]I would agree there is nothing significant about the AG primary results...where both candidates ran unnopposed, and the attention was on Clinton vs. Obama. But I believe national politics will inure to the benefit of Democrats in state races come November. The rest is up to Morganelli.

"War of Words Already Brewing Between A.G. Candidates" (WFMZ-TV, posted 02-06-2008):
http://wfmz.com/view/?id=211325

Pre-primary election, and taken out of context (perhaps), but a nonetheless interesting quote from Corbett: "We're not afraid to do investigations." This could become TC's 'mantra', if JM keeps him on the defensive...to include Ray Gricar's case. MOO [/*]

I seriously doubt that this will be a state wide issue, but it could get some publicity in central PA.

[Cloudbuster]

LW well said!!!! It is a state issue. Heck we got one federal prosecutor that was killed and left by the way side and another missing. Two unsoved cases. Maybe they should check out who the Kingpin in Baltimore that almost died that has a interesting nickname. Drug related , just can't shake it. Mo

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by logicworks [*]

It IS a State issue. It is the State's unsolved case. 'State wide' is exactly where it needs to be heard, loud and clear.

And statewide is where it will fall on deaf ears, as a political issue.

I'm sure that in the last week there was a murder in Pittsburgh, or the surrounding area. It doesn't make the news in Phila or probably central PA, because it doesn't affect the lives, or does so very tangentially, at best.

This case is basically the same. Now, you state what people ]should feel about the case as a political issue, but that won't change about what people do feel.

Buehner has taken the lead.

Buehner is largely correct, IMO, but he took the lead more than a year ago, and you can see how it's moved the public.

I'm not overjoyed that there hasn't been a greater outcry, but there has not been an outcry in Centre and Union Counties; why do you think that people out of the area will vote on the issue?

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by logicworks [*]

This case is not a Pittsburgh or Philadelphia murder, the news of which did not reach other areas of the state. This case went nationwide in the news. It is not an issue local only to central PA, as you constantly imply. It is a State issue, a State problem requiring a State investigation and an expert lead. MM does NOT qualify as being such an expert.

Please note I said statewide issue. The issue might have been known statewide, and the subject of curiosity, but it doesn't affect the voters day-to-day life, in a blatantly obviously manner (it does, but not obviously).

[J. J. in Phila]

Originally posted by logicworks [*]

Any time the State government shrugs off it's responsibility, it is a statewide issue.

No it isn't. It, on the surface, does not affect the daily lives of people out of the area. That a murderer might be running around Union and Centre Counties, doesn't move too many voters in Pittsburgh, Erie, Allentown, or Philadelphia.

Any time a local government willingly accepts full responsibility for a State government issue, it is a statewide issue.

That is the political reality in this political campaign, which is what we are discussing.

All JMOO:

Many voters have probably paid little attention to "bonusgate", or Louis DeNaples, or Ray Gricar. But when the Republican AG's office appears to go after Democrats only, while there are former Republican legislative leaders who presided over the awarding of huge bonuses and who gave thousands of dollars to TC’s campaign committee...that is a concern.

When OAG investigators subpoena the campaign finance records of several Democratic state lawmakers who split $45,000 in campaign donations from DeNaples, while TC's committee holds on to $35,000 (or more) from the same source...that is a concern. And while TC had primary authority to investigate DeNaples for perjury, he chose to allow a county DA to pursue the case. That is a concern also, in light of campaign contributors.

And when the state's chief law enforcement officer, who just two weeks earlier stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ray Gricar at a drug-bust press conference, turned his back on the DA when he disappeared without a trace...did not show leadership, or anything more than a passive interest...that is a concern too.

The political reality is, while these matters (questionable bonuses, generous gaming licensee, missing DA) are diverse and perhaps only of regional interest, the central issue is (or should be) TC's judgement...his fitness to be the state's chief law enforcement officer. And that central issue should be of statewide interest to voters.

JM has done a fair job thus far in questioning TC's judgement. But he has yet to publicly address the Gricar matter. If he wants to draw TC out on the central issue he should consider every means available to do so.

See 'Press Releases' at http://www.johnmorganelli.com/
http://wfmz.com/view/?id=211325
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/vall.../s_563312.html

Bob Buehner recently mentioned that he had been on a program hosted by GVS, when he called for the AG to convene a grand jury, etc. I had no recollection of it...could not find anything posted here about it, or at FoxNews.com. I did find a lead-in at AccessMyLibrary.com. I was wondering if anyone had a better link or a complete transcript. Here is what I was able to find by some intense 'googling' (note - this is an incomplete transcript, and some Qs & As are probably out of sequence):

Search Stalls For Missing Pennsylvania Prosecutor. (Fox News Channel, Greta Van Susteren, 1/5/06)

VAN SUSTEREN: What happened to Pennsylvania DA Ray Gricar? It has been almost nine months since he disappeared. And police have reached, apparently, a dead end. Gricar's car was found one day after [he] disappeared. And, in the following months, police got many reports of sightings, but none of them has panned out. Now two other prosecutors in Pennsylvania are hoping that the state attorney general's office will take over the case and solve it. District attorneys Ted McKnight and Bob Buehner join us live from State College Pennsylvania. Ted, you want the state attorney general to take over the case? Why hasn't that been done already?

TED MCKNIGHT, CLINTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: There has not been a request made so far, Greta. And we are trying to encourage the people to do that. We are also trying to encourage the attorney general to take a look at it independently to see if it ought to be done. Quite frankly, there are possibilities that there are multiple jurisdictions involved here. Exactly where the foul play took place involving Ray, it could be several different places. So, this is a case that clearly is one in which someone who has statewide jurisdiction ought to be involved. And I think it ought to be the Pennsylvania State Police as the investigative agency, and the attorney general in charge of the investigation.

With -- with -- with Pennsylvania law, the state police can go all over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, investigating this matter.

VAN SUSTEREN: You know, Ted, I -- I don't know Ray Gricar. I was up there looking around. It didn't [seem] like a place -- the -- the water at the time was so shallow, it didn't seem like a place you would commit suicide, near to where the car was found.

MCKNIGHT:

VAN SUSTEREN: But you have known Ray for 20 years. Any -- what do you think?

MCKNIGHT: I have felt from day one it was -- he was the obtain [object?] of foul play. I thought that the aspect and this talk about suicide was totally off center on this thing and should not have been considered. I'm absolutely convinced today that, as time has passed, that -- that he clearly was the obtain [object?] of foul play. And because of the time that has passed, I'm afraid that Ray is dead at this point [in] time.

MCKNIGHT: But I think the attorney general is the solution to this thing. And, quite frankly, I think we need to have somebody dedicated to this, and a -- a special report [prosecutor?] ought to be appointed to do the job. And, frankly, we are not sure where the foul play occurred, which county of the 67. So, the one person that can do that is the attorney general. And it is about time, I think, that he comes forward and joins with all of us to solve this very serious matter.

VAN SUSTEREN: Bob, if -- you know, it doesn't -- I cannot understand why that has not been done. I mean, you would think -- you would think that everyone would sort of get off the dime and do that. You sort of circle the wagons. It is one of your own. And the top prosecutor, you would think, would seize upon the opportunity. Why hasn't that been done, Bob?

BOB BUEHNER, MONTOUR COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Well, it is surprising to me that it hasn't so far, Greta. But the local police in Bellefonte have really been taking the lead in this investigation. They have worked diligently. They have worked hard. I think they have run into a lot of dead ends now. It's now time for an attorney, who has the ability to convene a statewide grand jury, who has the ability to have statewide jurisdiction, and also involve the state police.

VAN SUSTEREN: Bob, we only have 30 seconds left. So, what -- what is the producer? Just to tell the attorney general, take this?

BUEHNER: Well, I think district attorneys can ask the attorney general to do it. And we are going to be meeting in February, all of the 67 district attorneys. That is going to be topic one discussion for us...

VAN SUSTEREN: And...

BUEHNER: ... to ask the attorney general to go forward.

VAN SUSTEREN: And I hope, at the same time, throw into the mix the federal prosecutor from Maryland who was found, Jonathan Luna, who was found dead in your state.

VAN SUSTEREN: Ted, Bob, thank you. And good luck to both of you.

MCKNIGHT: Thank you.

VAN SUSTEREN: Coming up...

BUEHNER: Thank you, Greta.

VAN SUSTEREN: Coming up...

Morganelli to Corbett: Reduce gunfire in Pa.
"One of the most serious public safety issues facing all of our communities, death by gunfire, has been all but ignored by the current attorney general."
http://blog.pennlive.com/lvbreakingn..._reduce_g.html

MOO - Serendipitous1 to Corbett: Form a special task force to find out what happened to Ray Gricar. One of the most serious failures of your administration was turning your back on a fellow prosecutor...a representative of the Commonwealth...who mysteriously disappeared.

In an interview on May 12, 2005, TC said he had not encountered any similar case – a prosecutor missing and no evidence left behind – in his more than 25 years of experience. “I certainly hope we find him alive”, he said, while adding that hope for a happy ending was fading because so much time had gone by without a trace of him. TC said the first thing he asked about was where his keys were. Since they had not turned up, he concluded that Gricar planned to return to his car.
http://www.centredaily.com/news/ray_...tory/3777.html

MOO - This is the only instance I recall where the AG personally addressed the matter publicly, and only then because he was in CC on other business and was 'cornered' by a reporter. It sounded to me like TC was thinking foul play from the beginning. But, just one month after the disappearance, everyone involved was saying there were no clues, IIRC.

I believe McKnight, Buehner and other DAs likely discussed getting the case into the AG’s hands, when the group of DAs met privately with local LE on May 20, 2005. I believe TC convinced them, particularly MS, that it was not necessary. I believe he walked away from the case...that of a prosecutor who had vanished, seemingly without a trace...perhaps looking forward -- that (as a WKOK personality recently said) it would not be politically expedient to have a major unsolved case come time for re-election.

Then on July 30, evidence was discovered...the laptop, sans hard drive...but which was of no help. On September 6 (in the Philly Inquirer) DZ is quoted as saying, "To me, it looks more and more like a homicide by someone who planned this out...". Two days later, Buehner publicly called for a statewide task force, to include the OAG and the PSP (and said one should have been formed months before), on WKOK’s “Leaders and Lawmakers” program. But other media apparently failed to pick up on that.

Then in late Sep/early Oct, more evidence was found...a hard drive...but which apparently failed to yield any clues. In a January 1, 2006 article, both McKnight and Buehner spoke out publicly, apparently hoping for (but not counting on) MM's support (MM, a former senior deputy attorney general, pledged to use his connections in the OAG, if it would help). They said they were also considering making a direct request to the AG. McKnight also believed that any DA with a connection to the case could request the AG to step in, and he pledged to raise that idea at the midwinter PDAA meeting.
http://www.centredaily.com/news/ray_...tory/3799.html

MOO - Four days later, McKnight and Buehner reiterated their position on GVS's program. Again no other media took notice. Then on January 11, MM and SW gave their joint 'no stone left unturned' speech, following a 90-minute meeting with investigators. MM stated he would not formally seek assistance from the OAG.

The PDAA met in Philadelphia on February 8 & 9. Obviously McKnight's and Buehner's initiatives were thwarted. I can imagine that politics and 'Corbett worshipers' abound at all levels of government in the state (can you hear me now, former senior deputy attorney general MM?). Good luck finding out what really went on at that meeting (and at every PDAA meeting since).

At the one-year anniversary (in a Patriot-News/AP article)...while MM was looking for "that lucky thing, that fortuitous event" to jump-start the investigation, all the while fiercely holding on to the investigation...McKnight again called for a state agency to take over. And again, one month later, when the proverbial 's__t hit the fan' (missed leads, ignored sightings, etc.) and Buehner went ballistic on the AG. That is when MM appeared to compromise a bit, calling for what turned out to be a long-delayed and apparently useless review by the PSP elite.

Since From May 12, 2005, TC has been publicly silent on the matter, even while his office gave private assurances that Ray Gricar’s disappearance was a matter of great importance to the entire Commonwealth. Instead of stepping up, to publicly show leadership and a personal commitment, he sent his underling(s) out to try to hush his critics.

By his public inaction, TC has failed the state’s citizens...especially past and present prosecutors and their families, friends and colleagues. That is certainly not a trait I look for in the state's chief law enforcement officer. TC needs to answer this and other questions about his judgement...in person (not through his spokesperson). If JM will not hold TC’s feet to the fire, others should (e.g. through letters to editors, editorials, articles, debate questions, etc.).

Just as he has done for 3 years running in the Gricar matter, Corbett sent his flack out to scoff at criticisms, rather than speak to the issues personally (MOO).
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworl...0,862430.story

MOO - It's going to be a l-o-n-g six months for Corbett. Then again, dodging the issues is probably the only exercise he gets.

------------------

2008 Campaign Voters Guide - General Primary Election - The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania - Question: What specific priorities do you have if elected to the office of Attorney General?

Corbett: Throughout my career, I have fought to protect all Pennsylvanians and as Attorney General I will continue to aggressively pursue those who prey on the most vulnerable of our communities – our children and our seniors. I am committed to providing safety and security for PA’s families in our homes, neighborhoods, schools and businesses. As Attorney General I will: Protect our children from child sexual predators and child pornography, ensure that our schools are safe havens where our children can learn without the threat of violence.

Morganelli: 1. Pass a gang statute that makes gang membership a crime so as to attack the gangs before they commit their next murder or drug deal. 2. Address the proliferation of handguns into the hands of criminals, young children and those with mental illness. 3. Abolish parole for violent criminals. 4. Crackdown on illegal criminal aliens who have no respect for our laws, commit crime and use fraudulent identities.

http://www.palwv.org/voting/vg2008_Primary.pdf

MOO - in other words, four (or 2 if he runs for Governor) more years of the old Corbett, doing what the position demands, but without rocking any political boats...or four new years of Morganelli, doing what the position demands, plus lobbying aggressively for new tools to combat serious crimes/criminals (and maybe even some ideas on how to get a state-wide task force investigating the disappearance of Ray Gricar).

$55,000 to State Attorney General Tom Corbett from 2003 to 2005 - a stunning contribution from a convicted felon to the chief law enforcement officer of Pennsylvania.

"The facts of Attorney General Corbett’s performance may convince voters that, contrary to past performance, it is the Democratic nominee, John Morganelli, who is a better candidate and these facts, in [the] mid part of state, which Corbett needs to win, may convince R voters to vote D for AG."
http://crnblog.org/?p=209

MOO - Now *there* is a novel thought - a Democrat who might be considered more conservative than a Republican.

Frankly, I am way more than tired of hearing TC's flack, Kevin Harley-har-de-har-har, stutter and sputter about what amounts to his boss' holier-than-thou position. Either TC addresses the issues himself...in person and on point (including his near total failure to publicly address the mysterious disappearance of one of Pennsylvania's top prosecutors)...or he may just as well call an illegal in to dust off his private practice. MOO

[puzzled]

I just have a few things to say. S1 I love you! Please do not stop! I respect you with every fiber of my being! You are the man!

Originally posted by puzzled
I just have a few things to say. S1 I love you! Please do not stop! I respect you with every fiber of my being! You are the man!

Thanks, puzzled...however misguided your affections may be [S1 blushes].

I do not recall seeing Kevin Harley's name on the primary ballot for AG. And I am wondering who pays him to be TC's campaign surrogate. MOO, of course.

[J. J. in Phila]

S1, I have no doubt that TC has dropped the ball, big time, on the Gricar case. However, there are two questions:

1. What makes you think Morganelli won't do the same thing?

2. Even if Morganelli were to "champion" a grand jury for the RFG case, very crudely put, how many votes will it move?

Personally, I'd vote for him (and I probably will anyhow) if he'd stand up and say, "If I'm elected, I'll impanel a grand jury to investigate the disappearance of Ray Gricar," but how many others would(that are actually registered voters in PA)?

Originally posted by logicworks
Great summary of what TC has NOT done.

For three years, he has turned his back on the case, which meant turning his back to RG and loved ones, turning his back to every law enforcement representative in the state, while turning his back to the state citizens.

Has he done so deliberately? Every indication indeed indicates the lack of movement has not only been deliberate, but it has been calculated from the 'git-go'. For that lack of honor, intergrity, courage, he needs to be elected OUT of office. Who wants or needs a top law enforcement official in the state like that?

Was he serious when he said he thought RG must have been planning to return because he took his keys with him???? Egad! We ARE in big trouble with that level of investigating prowess.

I think the truly remarkable people are the ones who, like RG, are completely satisfied with a job well done. The others are just satisfied with a job, forget the 'well done'.

All just my own opinion.

You previously asked if it was possible that the OAG was working, behind the scenes, to solve this mystery. I think that is not the case, else private assurances to key people would not have resulted in their public remonstrances...from September '05 and continuing to this day.

I took TC's 'keys' and other comments (in May '05) as subtle hints that he suspected foul play because, regarding the other theories, RG taking his keys with him would not seem to be consistent with leaving his car behind, neatly parked.

Someone saying they will not be satisfied until an answer is found is not remotely the same as saying we will pull out all of the stops to solve this mystery, especially to determine if Ray Gricar's disappearance was a direct result of his chosen career.

I was impressed by the quick (and successful) response to the recent assassination of a Philadelphia police officer. There must be something, some secret perhaps, to explain why a county DA's sudden and unexplained disappearance does not get the same attention. Regardless, may God bless everyone in law enforcement...today and always.

Originally posted by J. J. in Phila
S1, I have no doubt that TC has dropped the ball, big time, on the Gricar case. However, there are two questions:

1. What makes you think Morganelli won't do the same thing?

2. Even if Morganelli were to "champion" a grand jury for the RFG case, very crudely put, how many votes will it move?

Personally, I'd vote for him (and I probably will anyhow) if he'd stand up and say, "If I'm elected, I'll impanel a grand jury to investigate the disappearance of Ray Gricar," but how many others would(that are actually registered voters in PA)?

MOO - I believe you mentioned the Pennsylvania 'T', meaning the state, minus the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia regions. It is an awesome block of voters...which neither candidate can safely choose to ignore. And this year, it includes the home ground of the Gricar and DeNaples issues.

I am aware of certain private assurances. But, until JM publicly states his position, I have no reason to believe anything will change in regard to the AG's moral obligation to pursue an answer to RG's disappearance. JM has already picked several 'fronts' in his battle with TC. Maybe RG's case will become another...maybe not. But the common thread is TC's judgement...and whether or not he is fit to remain the state's top LE official. That is what can sway votes, statewide.

[sherrijean981]

Originally posted by Serendipitous1 [*]
The PDAA met in Philadelphia on February 8 & 9. Obviously McKnight's and Buehner's initiatives were thwarted. I can imagine that politics and 'Corbett worshipers' abound at all levels of government in the state (can you hear me now, former senior deputy attorney general MM?). Good luck finding out what really went on at that meeting (and at every PDAA meeting since).

[/*]

Here is a link to the PDAA and there is to be a meeting in July again. Wonder if there is any way to get the attention of other DA's by JM at that meeting. Put the issue on the table then about RG. Maybe a couple letters or emails to JM and other DA's in Central PA?

http://www.pdaa.org/history.html

Maybe the people who were talking about a rally for RG would be better off finding out where this meeting is held in July and having a rally there.

Originally posted by logicworks <Snip>
I always thought it was a ventriloquist's act, S1.....lol.
Actually I was hoping I wasn't the only one perturbed when reading har-de-har-har's pontificating.

LOL. Visions of the slow-witted Mortimer Snerd...
http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com/...ers/curtis.jpg

...Edgar Bergen should be so 'proud'! MOO

Originally posted by sherrijean981
Here is a link to the PDAA and there is to be a meeting in July again. Wonder if there is any way to get the attention of other DA's by JM at that meeting. Put the issue on the table then about RG. Maybe a couple letters or emails to JM and other DA's in Central PA?
http://www.pdaa.org/history.html

Maybe the people who were talking about a rally for RG would be better off finding out where this meeting is held in July and having a rally there.

MOO - The PDAA is a joke when it comes to standing up for one of its own...not unlike a herd of buffalo paying little notice when one of them falls to the 'hunter'. Too bad for Ray Gricar. OTOH, here is a little known factoid: The PDAA took measures in 2006 to limit Internet access to the details of its meetings...a security issue no doubt prompted by the uncertainty regarding RG's disappearance.