A prosecutor told a state appeals court panel he was offended when a trial judge ordered former Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin to send autographed photos of herself in handcuffs as part of her campaign corruption sentence.
But that man, Deputy Allegheny County District Attorney Michael Streily, on Tuesday told the Superior Court panel weighing Melvin's appeal that he'll suggest she be sent to prison if the appeals court vacates the "bizarre" punishment.
Melvin's attorney, Patrick Casey, instead, argued that Melvin should simply be allowed to serve the remainder of her sentence — which includes three years' house arrest and a $55,000 fine — or have the entire punishment voided.
Melvin is appealing a conviction that she illegally used her former Superior Court staff to run her election campaign for the state's highest court.
