Latest news with #XanderOrenstein
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local lawmaker's bill that would limit bail options for violent offenders passes State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate passed a bill that seeks to restrict bail options for some defendants. Local lawmaker Devlin Robinson (R-37) introduced Senate Bill 490, which limits bail options for people with a history of violent crimes, less than two weeks ago. It passed in a 32-17 vote on Monday. Before the vote, Robinson addressed his colleagues and stated that the bill is a direct response to the actions of a controversial Allegheny County Magestrial District Judge, Xander Orenstein. Orenstein was barred from hearing arraignments last April after a slew of controversial rulings involving releasing criminals on non-monetary bond. RELATED COVERAGE >>> Local magistrate Xander Orenstein pulled from arraignments 'until further notice,' sources say Two of those criminals, a man accused of trafficking millions of collars of drugs into Pittsburgh on a bus and a high-speed chase suspect, went on to flee from Pennsylvania after being released. Robinson says extraditing the men back after their arrests in New York City and Florida, respectively, cost the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office up to $70,000. Robinson also spoke about Orenstein opting to release Anthony Quesen on non-monetary bond after a 2023 assault at Point State Park. Police later arrested Quesen in connection to the stabbing death of off-duty state liquor enforcement officer Benjamin Brallier along the Montour Trail. 'This is just unacceptable that these dangerous criminals were released on a non-monetary condition despite their violent history of crime. This is just one example of a high-level threat to our constituents and it's a shame that our current law doesn't provide better safeguards for these extreme circumstances,' Robinson said on the Senate floor. The bill only limits bail options for people with a history of violent crime, who have injured or run from authorities, or who possess 10 grams or more of fentanyl. 'Senate Bill 490 is simply a safeguard put into place to keep our Pennsylvania residents safe in a significant way by ensuring the most dangerous individuals aren't released without bail,' Robinson said. The bill now heads to the State House. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Complaint against controversial local magistrate dismissed
Channel 11 has learned that a complaint filed against controversial Magistrate Xander Orenstein with the state Judicial Conduct Board has been dismissed. The decision comes as multiple lawmakers and law enforcement leaders continue to call for the judge's dismissal. Orenstein was barred from hearing arraignments last April after a slew of controversial rulings RELATED COVERAGE >>> Local magistrate Xander Orenstein pulled from arraignments 'until further notice,' sources say 'It's incredibly disappointing,' State Rep. Valerie Gaydos said. She filed the complaint and told Channel 11 Orenstein had engaged in a pattern of poor judgment. Channel 11 has reported on Orenstein since 2023, when the judge released a man accused of trafficking millions of dollars of drugs into Pittsburgh on a Greyhound Bus on non-monetary bond. The suspect fled and took months to find. RELATED COVERAGE >>> 'Very dangerous decision': DA was not notified of accused drug trafficker's release from jail Orenstein was also criticized for releasing a high-speed chase suspect and another man police say violently attacked an elderly man downtown. Most recently, Orenstein released Anthony Quesen on non-monetary bond after a 2023 assault at Point State Park. Police later arrested Quesen in connection to the stabbing death of off-duty state liquor enforcement officer Benjamin Brallier along the Montour Trail. In its ruling, the PCB determined 'the result of its inquiry does not support a finding of probable cause of any judicial misconduct.' 'What it really comes down to is that has this judge done something that is specifically identified as illegal. The answer is no,' Gaydos said. 'The next step we can take is we're going to move forward with impeachment articles,' State Sen. Devlin Robinson said. The impeachment process begins in the House and then goes to the Senate. Gaydos cautions that the impeachment process could be lengthy and expensive. 'I think the only real solution is to un-elect judge Orenstein,' she said. We did attempt to reach Magistrate Orenstein for comment on this story but did not hear back. Orenstein has yet to comment on any of our reporting. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
