Pa. judge accused of molesting 12-year-old boy should be suspended without pay, conduct board urges

A district judge from Perry County who is facing child-sex charges should be suspended without pay while his criminal case proceeds, the state Judicial Conduct Board recommended Wednesday

The board called for the suspension of Judge Michael E. Schechterly in a petition filed by with the Court of Judicial Discipline.

The petition notes that Schechterly is in Cumberland County Prison without bail on charges including unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and indecent assault of a minor. The state attorney general’s office filed those charges Monday.

In the conduct board petition, Deputy Counsel Colby J. Miller cites a provision of the state constitution that allows the suspension of judges who have been charged with crimes.

Schechterly has been a district judge since 2012. Miller contends “the public’s confidence in the judiciary will continue to erode” if Schechterly is allowed to preside over civil and criminal cases while his criminal charges are pending.

Carlisle District Judge Jonathan Birbeck ordered Schechterly held in prison without bail, “reasoning that he is a danger to himself and the public,” Miller wrote.

Schechterly, 58, is accused of molesting a 12-year-old boy. His preliminary hearing on the charges is slated for later this month.

___

(c)2020 The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.)

Visit The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.) at www.pennlive.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.